da capo

American  

[dah kah-poh, dah kah-paw] / dɑ ˈkɑ poʊ, dɑ ˈkɑ pɔ /

adjective

1. repeated from the beginning (used as a musical direction).

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noun

1. a section of music that is to be repeated from the beginning.

da capo British  

/ dɑː ˈkɑːpəʊ /

adjective

1. music to be repeated (in whole or part) from the beginning

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Etymology

Origin of da capo

1715–25; < Italian: literally, from the head; see da, chief

Example Sentences

“Hercules” is more streamlined than Handel’s operas, and its most dramatic passages—including Hercules’ death and Dejanira’s subsequent mad scene—are written as accompanied recitatives rather than da capo arias.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

He conducted himself, from the harpsichord, a five-piece instrumental ensemble, and he kept many of the da capo arias complete, with an eye to musical rather than dramatic integrity.

From Washington Post • Jun. 3, 2019

The middle sections of the three-part da capo arias were taken by a second singer.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2016

In this minimally staged performance, the piece came over as having some genuine highlights among its innumerable da capo arias, though the best ideas tend to go to the orchestra rather than the singers.

From The Guardian • May 21, 2012

Do not play the same piece da capo.

From Piano and Song How to Teach, How to Learn, and How to Form a Judgment of Musical Performances by Nichols, Mary P.