concerto
kun-CHAIR´-toh A concerto is a work composed for one or more instrumental soloists and a full orchestra. Concerti (the proper plural), which have three contrasting movements, have been written for […]
Foreign Origins
opus
OH´-puhs (Latin, ‘work’) Opus is a term used in numbering a composer’s works. For example, Mozart’s Opus 50 is theoretically his fiftieth published composition. Opus numbers are not always accurate […]
tessitura
tess´-uh-TUR´-uh (Italian, ‘texture’) Tessitura is the range, from lowest to highest note, of a melody, vocal part, or vocal role. For a successful performance, a vocalist’s range must cover the […]
pizzicato
pits´-uh-CAW´-toh (Italian, ‘pinched’) Pizzicato is a technique in which performers of stringed instruments pluck strings, instead of playing them with a bow, in order to produce particular notes. The term […]
staccato
(Italian, ‘detached’) Staccato is a musical technique in which performers play a note, or series of notes, in a quick and choppy manner. Staccato is the opposite of legato, which […]
Bon appétit!
bohng´ ap-pay-TEE´ (French, ‘good appetite’) Bon appétit! is a phrase uttered at the beginning of a meal to wish other diners an enjoyable repast. Careful—French snobs, who consider it a […]
Coco Chanel
COH´-coh shuh-NELL´ If you know the name of only one fashion designer, let it be Coco Chanel (1883-1971). Though she passed away half a century ago, her name still packs […]
bon chic, bon genre
bōng SHEEK´ bōng ZHANG´-hruh (French, ‘good style, good type’) Bon chic, bon genre is a French fashion adjective similar to ‘preppy.’ The term also applies to a lifestyle. As applied […]
dernier cri
dehr´-nyay CREE´ (literal French, ‘last cry’) The dernier cri is the newest fashion, whether in the field of fashion itself or in another discipline. For example, “gauchos” for women were […]
couturier
coo-CHUR´-yay At its most basic level, couturier is the French term for male dressmaker, though it’s often applied to designers, manufacturers, and merchants of women’s clothing in general, male or […]