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Party animal turns up volume of opera lyrics (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

libretto

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'volume of opera lyrics' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'party animal turns up' is the wordplay.
'party' becomes 'lib' (abbreviation for Liberal, uk political party).
'animal' becomes 'otter' (I've seen this before).
'turns up' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'otter' backwards is 'retto'.
'lib'+'retto'='LIBRETTO'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for libretto that I've seen before include "Text set to music in opera" , "Text written for an opera" , "component of opera" , "11 down book" , "textbook" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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