List of Italian musical terms used in English

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Many musical terms are in Italian because, in Europe, the vast majority of the most important early composers from the Renaissance to the Baroque period were Italian.[ citation needed ] That period is when numerous musical indications were used extensively for the first time. [1]

Contents

Italian terms and English translations

Italian termLiteral translationDefinition
A cappella in chapel styleSung with no (instrumental) accompaniment, has much harmonizing
Aria airPiece of music, usually for a singer
Aria di sorbetto sorbet airA short solo performed by a secondary character in the opera
Arietta little airA short or light aria
Arioso airyA type of solo opera or operetta
Ballabiledanceable(song) to be danced to
Battaglia battleAn instrumental or vocal piece suggesting a battle
Bergamasca from BergamoA peasant dance from Bergamo
Burletta a little jokeA light comic or farcical opera
Cabaletta from copola (couplet)A two-part musical form
Cadenza fallingA florid solo at the end of a performance
Cantata sungA piece for orchestra and singers
Capriccio caprice A lively piece, free in form, often used to show musical skill
Cavatina small instrumental toneA simple melody or song
Coda tailThe end of a piece
Concerto concertA work for one or more solo instruments accompanied by an orchestra
Concertino little concertA short concerto; the solo instrument in a concerto
Concerto grosso big concertA Baroque form of concerto, with a group of solo instruments
Da capo aria from the head ariaA three-section musical form
Dramma giocoso jocular dramaA form of opera
Dramma per musica drama for musicLibretto
Fantasia fantasyA musical composition or “idea” typified by improvisation
Farsa farceA one-act comical opera
Festa teatrale theatrical partyA genre of opera
Fioritura floweryA highly embellished vocal line
Intermedio intermediateA short connecting instrumental movement – an intermezzo
Intermezzo intervalA short connecting instrumental movement
Libretto little bookA work containing the words to an opera, musical, or ballet
Melodramma melodramaA style of opera
Opera workA drama set to music for singers and instrumentalists
Opera buffa humorous operaA comic opera
Opera semiseria semi-serious operaA variety of opera
Opera seria serious operaAn opera with a serious, esp. classical theme
Operetta little operaA variety of light opera
Oratorio oratoryLarge musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists
Pasticcio pasticheA musical piece containing works by different composers
Ripieno concerto padding concertA form of Baroque concerto with no solo parts
Serenata serenade A song or composition in someone's honour. Originally, a musical greeting performed for a lover
Soggetto cavato carved subjectA musical cryptogram, using coded syllables as a basis for the composition
Sonata soundedFrom c. 1750 onward, a composition for one or two instruments in sonata form
Verismo realismA genre of operas with scenarios based on contemporary everyday life

Musical instruments

Italian termLiteral translationDefinition
Campana bellA bell used in an orchestra; also campane "bells"
Cornetto little hornAn old woodwind instrument
Fagotto bundleA bassoon, a woodwind instrument played with a double reed
Orchestra orchestra, orig. Greek orkesthai "dance"An ensemble of instruments
Piano(forte) soft-loudA keyboard instrument
Piccolo littleA tiny woodwind instrument
Sordun deaf, dull in soundAn archaic double-reed wind instrument
Timpani drumsLarge drums
Tuba tubeA large brass instrument
Viola viola, orig. Latin vitulari "be joyful"A medium-sized stringed instrument
Viola d'amore love violaA tenor viol with no frets
Viola da braccio arm violaA stringed instrument held in the arm, such as a violin or viola
Viola da gamba leg violaA stringed instrument held between the legs
Violoncello smaller large violaA large stringed instrument
Violone large violaA large stringed instrument in the bass or contra-bass range

Voices

Italian termLiteral translationDefinition
Alto highSecond-highest vocal line
Basso lowOr "bass;" the lowest vocal line
Basso profondo deep lowA very deep bass voice
Castrato castratedA male singer, castrated before puberty so as to be able to sing soprano (now sung by women, conventional countertenors, or sopranisti)
Coloratura soprano colouring sopranoA soprano specialised in complex, ornamented melody
Contralto against highAlto, esp. a female alto
Falsetto little falseA vocal register immediately above the modal voice range
Falsettone Falsetto, sung using the usual techniques of modal voice register
Leggiero tenorSee tenore di grazia
Musico musicianOriginally, a trained musician; later, a castrato or female singer
Mezzo-soprano middle-upperBetween soprano and alto
Passaggio crossingA vocal range
Soprano upperThe highest vocal line
Soprano sfogato unlimited sopranoA soprano who has extended her upper range beyond the usual range of a soprano
Spinto pushedA forceful voice, between the lyric and dramatic in weight
Spinto soprano pushed sopranoA soprano whose voice, while normally of lyric weight and fluidity, can be pushed to a more forceful weight
Squillo ringingThe resonant clarity of an operatic singer's voice
Tenore contraltino A tenor voice capable of a slightly higher range of sustainable notes than usual
Tenore di grazia or Leggiero tenortenor of grace or lightweight tenorA lightweight, flexible tenor voice
Tessitura textureA singer's comfortable range

Tempo

Italian termLiteral translationDefinition
Accelerando acceleratingAccelerating
Accompagnato accompaniedThe accompaniment must follow the singer who can speed up or slow down at will.
Adagio ad agio, at easeSlow and easy (but not as slow as largo)
Adagietto a bit at ease1. Slightly less easy than adagio (so slightly faster); 2. a short adagio composition
Affrettando becoming hurriedAccelerating
Alla marcia as a marchIn strict tempo at a marching pace (e.g. 120 BPM)
Allargando broadeningSlowing down and broadening; becoming more stately and majestic, possibly louder
Allegro joyful; lively and fastJoyful; moderately fast tempo
Allegretto a little bit joyfulSlightly less joyful than allegro (so slightly slower tempo)
Andante walkingAt a walking pace; flowing; moderately slow tempo
Andantino a little bit walkingLess of a walking pace than andante (so slightly quicker)
A tempo to timeReturn to previous tempo
Fermata held, stopped, orig. Latin firmo "make firm, fortify"Holding or sustaining a note
Grave grave, solemnSlow and solemn tempo (slower than largo)
Largo broadSlow and dignified tempo
Largamente broadlySlow and dignified tempo
Larghetto broad-ishSlightly less dignified than largo (so slightly faster tempo)
Lento slowSlow tempo
Lentando slowingDecelerating, slowing down
L'istesso tempo the same timeAt the same tempo
Moderato moderateModerate tempo
Mosso moved, agitatedAgitated
Presto prompt, quick; ready for actionVery fast
Prestissimo very prompt, very quickVery very fast (above 200 BPM)
Rallentando slowing downDecelerating
Ritardando retardingDecelerating
Tardo slow, tardySlow tempo
Tempo timeThe speed of music; e.g. 120 BPM (beats per minute)
(Tempo) rubato robbedFree flowing and exempt from steady rhythm
Tenuto sustainedHolding or sustaining a single note
Vivace vivaciousFast and lively tempo (quicker than allegro)

Dynamics – volume

Italian termLiteral translationDefinition
Calando quieteningBecoming softer and slower
Crescendo growingBecoming louder
Decrescendo shrinkingBecoming softer
Diminuendo dwindlingBecoming softer
Forte strongLoud
Fortissimo very strongVery loud
Mezzo forte half-strongModerately loud
Marcato markedA note played forcefully
Messa di voce placing the voiceA style of singing involving changing volume while holding a single note
Piano gentleSoft
Pianissimo very gentleVery soft
Mezzo piano half-gentleModerately soft
Sforzando strainedSharply accented
Stentato in the manner of Stentor Loud, boisterous
Tremolo tremblingA rapid, repetitive variation in the volume or pitch of a note

Moods

Italian termLiteral translationMusical definition
Abbandonatamente with abandonmentWith abandonment, prioritizing expression before time and tempo
Accarezzevole caressinglyCaressing, expressive
Acceso lit up, ignitedIgnited, ardent, passionate, on fire
Affannato breathlessAnguished, troubled
Affettuoso (or affetto , con affetto)affectionate, with affectLoving, tender
Affrettando hasty, hurriedHurrying, in a rushing manner
Agitato agitatedAgitated, restless, excited
Amabile amiableLovely, pleasant
Amoroso lovingLoving, tender
Animato animatedLively, animated
Brillante brilliantBright, radiant
Bruscamente brusquelyAbruptly, bluntly
Cantabile singable, songlikeIn a singing fashion
Colossale colossalHuge, broad, immense
Comodo comfortableComfortable, leisurely, in moderate speed
Con amore with loveWith love
Con brio with brightnessBright, vigorous, with spirit
Con fuoco with firePassionate, lively, enthusiastic
Con moto with motionEnergetic, with movement
Con spirito with spiritVigorous, spirited
Deciso decisiveDetermined, firm, resolute
Dolce sweetSweet, soft
Drammatico dramaticDramatic
Espressivo expressiveExpressive, with feeling
Feroce ferociousFierce, heavy
Festoso festiveMerry, jolly, happy
Furioso furiousAngry, passionate, rapid
Giocoso jocose, jestfulPlayful, spirited
Grandioso grandGrandiose, noble, great
Grazioso gracious, gracefulGraceful, flowing
Lacrimoso (or Lagrimoso)lachrymoseGrieving, sad
Lamentoso lamentingMournful, sorrowful
Maestoso majesticStately, dignified, broad
Misterioso mysteriousMysterious, secretive, enigmatic
Morendo dyingDying away, becoming quiet and/or slow
Pesante heavyHeavy, ponderous, slow
Risoluto resoluteDetermined, bold, decisive
Scherzando joking, jestfulPlayful, jestful, sportive, lively
Solitario solitaryLonely, alone
Sotto voce under the voiceSubdued, soft, hushed
Sonore sonorousBroad, resonant, resounding
Semplicemente simplySimply, plainly
Slancio passionately hurl or fling, lanceEnthusiastic, with momentum
Tranquillo tranquil, calmCalm, soft, peaceful
Volante flyingFree, light, fast

Musical expression (general)

Italian termLiteral translationUsage
Molto very; muchComes before other terms; e.g. molto allegro ("very cheerful")
Assai very; aplentyComes after other terms; e.g. allegro assai ("very cheerful")
Più moreComes before other terms; e.g. più mosso ("more moved/agitated")
Poco littleComes before other terms; e.g. poco diminuendo ("a little diminishing")
Poco a poco little by little"Slowly but steadily." Comes before other terms; e.g. poco a poco crescendo ("increasing little by little")
Ma non tanto but not so muchComes after other terms; e.g. adagio ma non tanto ("not quite at ease")
Ma non troppo but not too muchComes after other terms; e.g. allegro ma non troppo ("not too joyful")
Meno lessComes before other terms, such as meno mosso ("less moved/agitated")
Subito suddenly, quicklyComes before or after other terms; e.g. subito fortissimo ("suddenly very loud")

Patterns within the musical score

Italian termLiteral translationDefinition
Lacuna gapA silent pause in a piece of music
Ossia from o ("or") + sia ("that it be")A secondary passage of music which may be played in place of the original
Ostinato stubborn, obstinateA repeated motif or phrase in a piece of music
Pensato thought outA composed imaginary note
Ritornello little returnA recurring passage in a piece of Baroque music
Segue it followsA smooth movement from one passage to another with no pause
SimilesimilarContinue applying the preceding directive, whatever it was, to the following passage
Stretto tightened, strictIn a fugue, the repeating of a motif by a second voice before the first rendition is completed

Directions

Italian termLiteral translationDefinition
Attacca attach, beginProceed to the next section without pause
Cambiare changeAny change, such as to a new instrument
Da Capo (al fine) from the beginning (to the "fine")Abbreviated as D.C., informs the performer to go back to the beginning (capo) (finishing where the part is marked fine).
Dal Segno from the signAbbreviated as D.S., informs the performer to repeat a specific section marked by a sign (segno).
Divisi dividedInstructs one section to divide into two or more separate sections, each playing a separate part. Often these separate parts are written on the same staff.
Oppure from o ("or") + pure ("also")Informs the player of alternative ways to play a passage. See Ossia.
Solo aloneA piece or performance to be played by a single musician
SoleGroup soloA piece or performance to be played by a designated group

Techniques

Italian termLiteral translationDefinition
Acciaccatura crunchingAn extra, very fast grace note
Altissimo very highVery high
Appoggiatura leaning, supportingA type of ornament that creates a "yearning" effect
Arco bowCancels col legno and pizzicato. (In any string passage, arco is usually expected, as it is the "default" approach; it is only ever written at the end of col legno or pizzicato passages.)
Arpeggio harp-likeA chord with the notes spread out in time (rather than sounded simultaneously)
Basso continuo continuous bassContinuous bass accompaniment by chordal instrument(s) and bass instrument(s) (see Figured bass.)
A bocca chiusa in closed mouthWordless humming in a choral piece
Chiuso closedCalls for a horn to be muted by hand.
Coloratura colourationElaborate ornamentation of a vocal line
Coperti coveredOf a drum, muted with a cloth
Una corda one string, cordOn a piano, played with the soft pedal depressed
Due corde two stringsOn a piano, played with the soft pedal depressed (For why both terms exist, see Piano#Pedals.)
Tre corde or tutte le corde three strings or all the stringsCancels una corda
Glissando gliding, glossingA sweeping glide from one pitch to another used for dramatic effect
Legato tiedA series of notes played with a smooth connection between them
Col legno with the woodCalls for a bowed instrument's strings to be struck with the wood of the bow (rather than drawn across with the hair of the bow).
Martellato hammeredOf notes, strongly accented and detached
Pizzicato pinched, pluckedCalls for a bowed instrument's strings to be plucked with the fingers.
Portamento carryingPlaying with a sliding of pitch between two notes
Portato carriedPlayed in a style between staccato and legato
Sforzando forcingPlaying with strong, marked emphasis
Scordatura discordAlternate tuning (of strings)
Con sordino with sourdine (mute)With mute applied, esp. to string instruments
Senza sordino without sourdine (mute)With mute removed
Spiccato separated, distinct; standing outWith a stringed instrument, played by bouncing the bow lightly on the strings
Staccato detachedA form of musical articulation in which notes are distinct and separated from each other by short gaps
Staccatissimo very detachedForcefully exaggerated staccato
Tutti allPlayed or sung by the entire ensemble, rather than by just a soloist or principal player
Vibrato vibratingPlayed with rapid repetitive variation or undulation in pitch
Colla vocewith the voice(For accompanists) In time with the singer's text, especially when slowing for textual effect

Roles

Italian termLiteral translationDefinition
Banda bandSmall music ensemble used as a supplement to the orchestra in an opera
Comprimario with the firstSupporting role
Concertino little concertSmaller, more virtuosic group of musicians in a concerto grosso
ConvenienzeconveniencesRules relating to the ranking of singers in opera (primo, secondo, comprimario) in 19th-century Italian opera, and the number of scenes, arias, etc. that they were entitled to expect. [2] The convenienze are referred to in the Donizetti opera Le convenienze ed inconvenienze teatrali .
Coro choirEnsemble of singers
Diva divine one (fem.)Leading female singer
Prima donna first ladyLeading female role
Primo uomo first manLeading male role
Ripieno refilling or stuffingThe larger group of musicians in a concerto grosso

Criticism

Italian termLiteral translationDefinition
Bel canto beautiful singingAny fine singing, esp. that popular in 18th- and 19th-century Italian opera
Bravura skillA performance of extraordinary virtuosity
BravoskillfulA cry of congratulation to a male singer or performer. (Masc. pl. bravi; fem. sing. brava; fem. pl. brave.) The use of ! after a written expression of "bravo/a/i/e(!)" strongly emphasizes it.

Musical direction and staging

Italian termLiteral translationDefinition
Maestro master, teacherConductor, music director, music teacher; also composer and other eminent musicians and singers
Maestro collaboratorecollaborating masterAssistant conductor
Maestro sostitutosubstitute/deputy masterAssistant conductor
Maestro suggeritoremaster suggester/prompterPrompter
Stagione seasonA variety of formal organisation of players and crew in the staging of operas

See also

References

  1. Nuccio, Giovanni. "Why Is Italian the Language of Music?". Happy Languages. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  2. Warrack, John and West, Ewan (1992), The Oxford Dictionary of Opera, 782 pages, ISBN   0-19-869164-5