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. That period is when numerous musical indications were used extensively for the first time.
Italian terms and English translations Italian term Literal translation Definition A cappella in chapel style Sung with no (instrumental) accompaniment, has much harmonizing Ariaair Piece of music, usually for a singer Aria di sorbetto sorbet air A short solo performed by a secondary character in the opera Arietta little air A short or light aria Arioso airy A type of solo opera or operetta Ballabile danceable (song) to be danced to Battaglia battle An instrumental or vocal piece suggesting a battle Bergamasca from Bergamo A peasant dance from Bergamo Burletta a little joke A light comic or farcical opera Cabaletta from copola (couplet) A two-part musical form Cadenza falling A florid solo at the end of a performance Cantata sung A piece for orchestra and singers Capriccio caprice A lively piece, free in form, often used to show musical skill Cavatina small instrumental tone A simple melody or song Coda tail The end of a piece Concerto concert A work for one or more solo instruments accompanied by an orchestra Concertino little concert A short concerto; the solo instrument in a concerto Concerto grosso big concert A Baroque form of concerto, with a group of solo instruments Da capo aria from the head aria A three-section musical form Dramma giocoso jocular drama A form of opera Dramma per musica drama for music Libretto Fantasia fantasy A musical composition or “idea” typified by improvisation Farsa farce A one-act comical opera Festa teatrale theatrical party A genre of opera Fioritura flowery A highly embellished vocal line Intermedio intermediate A short connecting instrumental movement – an intermezzo Intermezzo interval A short connecting instrumental movement Libretto little book A work containing the words to an opera, musical, or ballet Melodramma melodrama A style of opera Opera work A drama set to music for singers and instrumentalists Opera buffa humorous opera A comic opera Opera semiseria semi-serious opera A variety of opera Opera seria serious opera An opera with a serious, esp. classical theme Operetta little opera A variety of light opera Oratorio oratory Large musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists Pasticcio pastiche A musical piece containing works by different composers Ripieno concerto padding concert A 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 subject A musical cryptogram, using coded syllables as a basis for the composition Sonata sounded From c. 1750 onward, a composition for one or two instruments in sonata form Verismo realism A genre of operas with scenarios based on contemporary everyday life
Musical instruments Italian term Literal translation Definition Campana bell A bell used in an orchestra; also campane "bells" Cornetto little horn An old woodwind instrument Fagotto bundle A bassoon, a woodwind instrument played with a double reed Orchestra orchestra, orig. Greek orkesthai "dance" An ensemble of instruments Piano(forte) soft-loud A keyboard instrument Piccolo little A tiny woodwind instrument Sordun deaf, dull in sound An archaic double-reed wind instrument Timpani drums Large drums Tuba tube A large brass instrument Viola viola, orig. Latin vitulari "be joyful" A medium-sized stringed instrument Viola d'amore love viola A tenor viol with no frets Viola da braccio arm viola A stringed instrument held in the arm, such as a violin or viola Viola da gamba leg viola A stringed instrument held between the legs Violoncello smaller large viola A large stringed instrument Violone large viola A large stringed instrument in the bass or contra-bass range
Voices Italian term Literal translation Definition Alto high Second-highest vocal line Basso low Or "bass;" the lowest vocal line Basso profondo deep low A very deep bass voice Castrato castrated A male singer, castrated before puberty so as to be able to sing soprano (now sung by women, conventional countertenors, or sopranisti) Coloratura soprano colouring soprano A soprano specialised in complex, ornamented melody Contralto against high Alto, esp. a female alto Falsetto little false A vocal register immediately above the modal voice range Falsettone Falsetto, sung using the usual techniques of modal voice register Leggiero tenor See tenore di grazia Musico musician Originally, a trained musician; later, a castrato or female singer Mezzo-soprano middle-upper Between soprano and alto Passaggio crossing A vocal range Soprano upper The highest vocal line Soprano sfogato unlimited soprano A soprano who has extended her upper range beyond the usual range of a soprano Spinto pushed A forceful voice, between the lyric and dramatic in weight Spinto soprano pushed soprano A soprano whose voice, while normally of lyric weight and fluidity, can be pushed to a more forceful weight Squillo ringing The 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 tenor tenor of grace or lightweight tenor A lightweight, flexible tenor voice Tessitura texture A singer's comfortable range
Tempo Italian term Literal translation Definition Accelerando accelerating Accelerating Accompagnato accompanied The accompaniment must follow the singer who can speed up or slow down at will. Adagio ad agio, at ease Slow and easy (but not as slow as largo) Adagietto a bit at ease 1. Slightly less easy than adagio (so slightly faster); 2. a short adagio composition Affrettando becoming hurried Accelerating Alla marcia as a march In strict tempo at a marching pace (e.g. 120BPM) Allargando broadening Slowing down and broadening; becoming more stately and majestic, possibly louder Allegro joyful; lively and fast Joyful; moderately fast tempo Allegretto a little bit joyful Slightly less joyful than allegro (so slightly slower tempo) Andante walking At a walking pace; flowing; moderately slow tempo Andantino a little bit walking Less of a walking pace than andante (so slightly quicker) A tempo to time Return to previous tempo Fermata held, stopped, orig. Latin firmo "make firm, fortify" Holding or sustaining a note Grave grave, solemn Slow and solemn tempo (slower than largo) Largo broad Slow and dignified tempo Largamente broadly Slow and dignified tempo Larghetto broad-ish Slightly less dignified than largo (so slightly faster tempo) Lento slow Slow tempo Lentando slowing Decelerating, slowing down L'istesso tempo the same time At the same tempo Moderato moderate Moderate tempo Mosso moved, agitated Agitated Presto prompt, quick; ready for action Very fast Prestissimo very prompt, very quick Very very fast (above 200BPM) Rallentando slowing down Decelerating Ritardando retarding Decelerating Slentando slowing down gradually decreasing in tempo Tardo slow, tardy Slow tempo Tempo time The speed of music; e.g. 120BPM (beats per minute) (Tempo) rubato robbed Free flowing and exempt from steady rhythm Tenuto sustained Holding or sustaining a single note Vivace vivacious Fast and lively tempo (quicker than allegro)
Dynamics – volume Italian term Literal translation Definition Calando quietening Becoming softer and slower Crescendo growing Becoming louder Decrescendo shrinking Becoming softer Diminuendo dwindling Becoming softer Forte strong Loud Fortissimo very strong Very loud Mezzo forte half-strong Moderately loud Marcato marked A note played forcefully Messa di voce placing the voice A style of singing involving changing volume while holding a single note Piano gentle Soft Pianissimo very gentle Very soft Mezzo piano half-gentle Moderately soft Sforzando strained Sharply accented Stentato in the manner of Stentor Loud, boisterous Tremolo trembling A rapid, repetitive variation in the volume or pitch of a note
Moods Italian term Literal translation Musical definition Abbandonatamente with abandonment With abandonment, prioritizing expression before time and tempo Accarezzevole caressingly Caressing, expressive Acceso lit up, ignited Ignited, ardent, passionate, on fire Affannato breathless Anguished, troubled Affettuoso (or affetto, con affetto) affectionate, with affect Loving, tender Affrettando hasty, hurried Hurrying, in a rushing manner Agitato agitated Agitated, restless, excited Amabile amiable Lovely, pleasant Amoroso loving Loving, tender Animato animated Lively, animated Brillante brilliant Bright, radiant Bruscamente brusquely Abruptly, bluntly Cantabile singable, songlike In a singing fashion Colossale colossal Huge, broad, immense Comodo comfortable Comfortable, leisurely, in moderate speed Con amore with love With love Con brio with brightness Bright, vigorous, with spirit Con fuoco with fire Passionate, lively, enthusiastic Con moto with motion Energetic, with movement Con spirito with spirit Vigorous, spirited Deciso decisive Determined, firm, resolute Dolce sweet Sweet, soft Drammatico dramatic Dramatic Espressivo expressive Expressive, with feeling Feroce ferocious Fierce, heavy Festoso festive Merry, jolly, happy Furioso furious Angry, passionate, rapid Giocoso jocose, jestful Playful, spirited Grandioso grand Grandiose, noble, great Grazioso gracious, graceful Graceful, flowing Lacrimoso (or Lagrimoso) lachrymose Grieving, sad Lamentoso lamenting Mournful, sorrowful Maestoso majestic Stately, dignified, broad Misterioso mysterious Mysterious, secretive, enigmatic Morendo dying Dying away, becoming quiet and/or slow Pesante heavy Heavy, ponderous, slow Risoluto resolute Determined, bold, decisive Scherzando joking, jestful Playful, jestful, sportive, lively Solitario solitary Lonely, alone Sotto voce under the voice Subdued, soft, hushed Sonore sonorous Broad, resonant, resounding Semplicemente simply Simply, plainly Slancio passionately hurl or fling, lance Enthusiastic, with momentum Tranquillo tranquil, calm Calm, soft, peaceful Volante flying Free, light, fast
Musical expression (general) Italian term Literal translation Usage Molto very; much Comes before other terms; e.g. molto allegro ("very cheerful") Assai very; aplenty Comes after other terms; e.g. allegro assai ("very cheerful") Più more Comes before other terms; e.g. più mosso ("more moved/agitated") Poco little Comes 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 much Comes after other terms; e.g. adagio ma non tanto ("not quite at ease") Ma non troppo but not too much Comes after other terms; e.g. allegro ma non troppo ("not too joyful") Meno less Comes before other terms, such as meno mosso ("less moved/agitated") Subito suddenly, quickly Comes before or after other terms; e.g. subito fortissimo ("suddenly very loud")
Patterns within the musical score Italian term Literal translation Definition Lacuna gap A 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, obstinate A repeated motif or phrase in a piece of music Pensato thought out A composed imaginary note Ritornello little return A recurring passage in a piece of Baroque music Segue it follows A smooth movement from one passage to another with no pause Simile similar Continue applying the preceding directive, whatever it was, to the following passage Stretto tightened, strict In a fugue, the repeating of a motif by a second voice before the first rendition is completed
Directions