Illustration of theorbo
theorbo
noun
the·or·bo
thē-ˈȯr-(ˌ)bō 
plural theorbos
: a stringed instrument of the 17th century resembling a large lute but having an extra set of long bass strings
Examples of theorbo in a Sentence
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Under her direction, the show featured a pit band of musicians who played Elizabethan instruments like the shawm, sackbut, theorbo, hurdy-gurdy, cittern, tabor and rauschpfeife.
—
Alex Traub, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025
Nathaniel Cox toggled throughout the night between his theorbo (an extremely long-necked lute) and the mythic-seeming cornetto, a hybrid of wind and brass, with the body of a flute (often made of either hardwood or bone) and the mouthpiece of a trumpet.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 17 Dec. 2023
Oddly, the theorbo is my newest obsession of all early Renaissance musical instruments.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 17 Dec. 2023
There’s a Spanish duo (brothers) who play and record music featuring the theorbo if anyone is interested.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 17 Dec. 2023
Along with Lebedinsky, the group includes Kati Kyme on viola, William Skeen on violoncello and viola da gamba, Kevin Cooper on the lute-like theorbo, and violinists Aaron Westman and Anna Washburn.
—Beth Woodcontributor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2023
Over that electronic polyphony, accompanists on period instruments, including the theorbo (a long-necked lute), improvised sometimes plangent, sometimes dissonant improvisations.
—Jason Farago, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2023
Il Pomo d’Oro—a twenty-some-piece orchestra including harpsichord and theorbo — took their places flanking the platform on both sides.
—Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Jan. 2023
In another change from past years, the period-instruments orchestra will include a continuo contingent of chamber organ and theorbo (a bass lute) as well as cello and harpsichord.
—Dallas News, 15 Dec. 2022
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Alex Traub, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025
Nathaniel Cox toggled throughout the night between his theorbo (an extremely long-necked lute) and the mythic-seeming cornetto, a hybrid of wind and brass, with the body of a flute (often made of either hardwood or bone) and the mouthpiece of a trumpet.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 17 Dec. 2023
Oddly, the theorbo is my newest obsession of all early Renaissance musical instruments.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 17 Dec. 2023
There’s a Spanish duo (brothers) who play and record music featuring the theorbo if anyone is interested.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 17 Dec. 2023
Along with Lebedinsky, the group includes Kati Kyme on viola, William Skeen on violoncello and viola da gamba, Kevin Cooper on the lute-like theorbo, and violinists Aaron Westman and Anna Washburn.
—Beth Woodcontributor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2023
Over that electronic polyphony, accompanists on period instruments, including the theorbo (a long-necked lute), improvised sometimes plangent, sometimes dissonant improvisations.
—Jason Farago, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2023
Il Pomo d’Oro—a twenty-some-piece orchestra including harpsichord and theorbo — took their places flanking the platform on both sides.
—Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Jan. 2023
In another change from past years, the period-instruments orchestra will include a continuo contingent of chamber organ and theorbo (a bass lute) as well as cello and harpsichord.
—Dallas News, 15 Dec. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Theorbo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theorbo. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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