bel canto

American  

[bel kan-toh, -kahn-, bel kahn-taw] / ˌbɛl ˈkæn toʊ, -ˈkɑn-, bɛl ˈkɑn tɔ /

noun

Music.

1. a smooth, cantabile style of singing.

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bel canto British  

/ ˈbɛl ˈkæntəʊ /

noun

1. music

   1. a style of singing characterized by beauty of tone rather than dramatic power

   2. ( as modifier )

      a bel canto aria

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Etymology

Origin of bel canto

1890–95; < Italian: literally, fine singing, equivalent to bel (cognate with beau ) + canto ( see canto)

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bel canto

As usual, Mr. Crutchfield took a scholarly approach, examining historical documents to determine what bel canto might have sounded like during that stay.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

The score calls for a large cast with serious bel canto skills, and Opera Philadelphia’s lineup delivered.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2025

Translating literally from the Italian into “beautiful singing,” bel canto is all about “appreciating the voices first and foremost,” says Peleggi.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 29, 2024

Born in New York in December 1923 to Greek parents, Callas was credited with reviving almost single-handedly the Italian bel canto vocal technique.

From Reuters ● Nov. 9, 2023

They gave their lives to the quest of the "bel canto"; and many of them had difficulty in convincing their pupils that the simplest exercises were often the hardest.

From Great Singers on the Art of Singing Educational Conferences with Foremost Artists by James Francis Cooke

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