ritornello

American  

[rit-er-nel-oh, ree-tawr-nel-law] / ˌrɪt ərˈnɛl oʊ, ˌri tɔrˈnɛl lɔ /

noun

Music.

plural

ritornellos, ritornelli

1. an orchestral interlude between arias, scenes, or acts in 17th-century opera.

2. a tutti section in a concerto grosso, aria, etc.

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ritornello British  

/ ˌrɪtəˈnɛləʊ /

noun

1. an orchestral passage between verses of an aria or song

2. a ripieno passage in a concerto grosso

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Etymology

Origin of ritornello

1665–75; < Italian, diminutive of ritorno return

Example Sentences

The tenor starts out in synch with the ritornello; attempts to assume an independent melodic shape; and then, failing that, tries to join up with the accompaniment again.

From The New Yorker • Dec. 25, 2016

It’s a ritornello, a continual refrain: ‘Be America! Be the future! Take back the narrative of Europe! Compete!’

From The New Yorker • Jun. 22, 2015

Between the verses and at the close, a curious little ritornello is played.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 03, No. 18, April, 1859 by Various

Then, through a ventilator, he permitted these fragrant waves to escape, only preserving the field which he renewed, compelling it to return in his strophes like a ritornello.

From Against the Grain by Huysmans, J.-K. (Joris-Karl)

Sur nous! in unison with the orchestral notes which are, to say the least, a ritornello.

From Musical Memories by Rich, Edwin Gile