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)

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 Crutchfield took a scholarly approach, examining historical documents to determine what bel canto might have sounded like during that stay.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

Like the two other bel canto works presented by the company so far this season—the new production of Bellini’s “La Sonnambula” and a revival of Donizetti’s “La Fille du Régiment”—it was luxuriously cast and conducted.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 2, 2026

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 Maria Anna Sophie Cecilia Kalogeropoulos in New York in December 1923 to Greek parents, Callas was credited with the almost single-handed revival of the Italian bel canto vocal technique.

From Reuters ● Oct. 25, 2023

I once attended a German performance of Die Walküre with an Italian master of bel canto.

From The Voice Its Production, Care and Preservation by Miller, Frank E.