buffo

American  

[boo-foh, boof-faw] / ˈbu foʊ, ˈbuf fɔ /

noun

Music.

plural

buffi, buffos

1. (in opera) a comedy part, usually bass.

2. a male opera singer who specializes in comic roles.

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buffo British  

/ ˈbʊfəʊ, ˈbuffo /

noun

1. (in Italian opera of the 18th century) a comic part, esp one for a bass

2. Also called: buffo bass.   basso buffo.  a bass singer who performs such a part

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Etymology

Origin of buffo

1755–65; < Italian: ridiculous, comic actor who takes comic parts; back formation from buffone buffoon

Example Sentences

In the first half, he relished dancing rhythms and shifted between Natasha and Andrei’s repeating theme, a quintessentially Prokofiev melody of a long lyrical line leaping upward, and buffo interludes from the likes of Anatole and Dolokhov, with unstoppable momentum.

From New York Times

“To me, it’s the greatest of these buffo arias,” Colaneri said.

From New York Times

Buffo, the Montana nurse, said she was in a “state of terror” when the mandate was announced, fearing that it might threaten her career.

From Seattle Times

Instead of the buffo landlord Benoit coming for the rent, the four Bohemians impersonate him themselves in a skit that was a little beyond the L.A. cast’s comic skills.

From Los Angeles Times

Tantri: Yeah, given the format, I was a bit surprised at how good they all were, particularly Marcus Shelton, who performed a couple of what he described as “pasta sauce ad” Italian chestnuts — “La donna è mobile” and “Questa o quella” from “Rigoletto” — served with a pile of eyebrow acting and buffo–style emotional voice-wringing that, paired with his butter-smooth tenor voice, shaved head and handlebar mustache, made me feel like I was watching a bar scene in “The Godfather, Part II.”

From Seattle Times