In musical notation, obbligato indicates that an instrument or voice is essential and not to be omitted. However, some composers have used this term with the opposite meaning in mind: that an instrument or voice may be omitted if so desired. Generally, the older the notation, the more likely it is that obbligato retains its original meaning of an 'obliged', essential part. Research Obbligato
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Abbreviations
Research Obbligato
