Ritornello

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Ritornelle \Rit`or*nelle"\, Ritornello \Ri`tor*nel"lo\, n. [It.
     ritornello, dim. of ritorno return, fr. ritornare to return:
     cf. F. ritournelle.] (Mus.)
     (a) A short return or repetition; a concluding symphony to an
         air, often consisting of the burden of the song.
     (a) A short intermediate symphony, or instrumental passage,


         in the course of a vocal piece; an interlude.
         [1913 Webster]