cantio [Lat.]

Song, especially the monophonic song of the Middle Ages with Latin, sacred, nonliturgical, strophic text, often with a refrain. See also Cantio sacra.

primo, secondo [It., first, second]

In a duet (e.g., for piano four-hands), the two parts, the primo usually being the leading part; in an orchestra, the two parts into which a section has been divided (e.g., first and second violins); primo tempo, the tempo with which a work began; primo uomo, the leading male singer in an opera.

modal notation

Notation, especially that in the sources for the repertory of *Notre Dame, designed to represent the rhythms of the rhythmic modes.

double concerto

A *concerto for two solo instruments and orchestra.

Hob

Abbr. for Anthony van Hoboken’s *thematic catalog of the works of Haydn: Joseph Haydn: Thematisch-bibliographisches Werkverzeichnis (Mainz: B Schott, 1957-78).

accelerando, accelerato [It.]

[abbr. accel.] Becoming faster; faster.

linear counterpoint

In the writings of Ernst Kurth (Grundlagen des linearen Kontrapunkts, Berne: M Drechsel, 1917) and since, a phrase that stresses the identity and character of individual lines making up the contrapuntal fabric, thus tending to subordinate the harmonic or vertical dimension.

prima donna [It.]

The singer of the principal female role in opera, or the leading female singer in an opera company. The corresponding male designation, less frequently used, is primo uomo. The term was in use by the middle of the 17th century, spurred on, it has been conjectured, by the development of public opera houses. It connotes a performer of overbearing temperament and arrogance. Terminology for the hierarchy of singers has at times been subject to an inflation resulting in the use of terms such as prima donna assoluta (absolute first lady) or diva (goddess).

ballabile [It.]

In 19th-century opera, a piece suitable for dancing. Such pieces may be purely instrumental or performed with chorus. Examples are found in Meyerbeer (Robert le diable, Les Huguenots) and Verdi (Ernani, Macbeth, Aida.)

calando [It.]

Decreasing in loudness and often also in tempo.