Theorbo

Theorbo [U.] (Fr.: théorbe; Ger.: Theorbe; It., Sp.: tiorba), 1. archlute invented in Venice ca. 1575 by “il Bardella” (Antonio Naldi), according to G. B. Doni, and mentioned by Florio in 1598, by which time the word also occurred in France. The claim of invention has also been accorded to others of the period. The theorbo had its heyday in the 17th c. as a continuo instr. and survived into the second half of the 18th c. Its characteristic feature is a second pegbox set immediately above the…