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

See Examples For:

da capo

Soprano Hilary Cronin was a dazzling, lyrical Iole, her precisely calibrated da capo arias capturing the princess’s serene acceptance of her lot and her consoling, thoughtful presence—the antithesis of the disturbed Dejanira.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 18, 2026

One striking feature of Ms. Hallenberg’s artistry is her rare ability to transform a da capo aria into a musical and dramatic jewel.

From New York Times ● Feb. 20, 2020

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

The reproduction of the principal division is likely to be literal, so that the simple directions "da capo" suffice, instead of re-writing the entire division.

From Lessons in Music Form A Manual of Analysis of All the Structural Factors and Designs Employed in Musical Composition by Percy Goetschius