GLOSSARY: Difficult or obscure word or expression 4a: glos-sa-ry \n, pl -ries: a collection of textual glosses or of terms limited to a special area of knowledge or usage
Alto (It., High) (1) Originally applied to Castrati, now it is applied to (2) the female voice: A Contralto or low Mezzo. (3) The male voice: A Bass or Baritone singing falsetto.
Appogiando/to (It., Leaning ) An embellishment in the form of a note "leaning" above the principal note.
Arabeske (Ger.,) An embellishment or a light, graceful musical form resembling a Rondo.
Aria (It., Air) In opera, a formalized composition for solo voice with accompaniment.
Aria di Capo (It., From the top) An aria in the 18th Century Opera Seria (A-B-A). The second "A" was not written out, and the singer was given the instruciton to return and sing from the top or begining.
Arpeggio (It., Harp like) The quick playing of notes of a chord, one after the other as with a harp.
Attack (E.) the manner or act of begining a note, a phrase or a movement.
Bassier (F.) To lower, as in pitch.
