stretto

American  

[stret-oh] / ˈstrɛt oʊ /

noun

Music.

plural

stretti, strettos

1. the close overlapping of statements of the subject in a fugue, each voice entering immediately after the preceding one.

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stretto British  

/ ˈstrɛtəʊ /

noun

1. (in a fugue) the close overlapping of two parts or voices, the second one entering before the first has completed its statement of the subject

2. Also called: stretta.  a concluding passage in a composition, played at a faster speed than the earlier material

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Etymology

Origin of stretto

1745–55; < Italian: literally, narrow < Latin strictus. See strict, strait

Example Sentences

A sandwich shop called E Stretto is now serving Italian-influenced sandwiches in the front area of Bar Clacson in Downtown.

From Los Angeles Times

Gerzmava’s muscular vibrato in Verdi’s “Stretto” gave way to fluid, tender singing in “Ecco … lo son l’umile ancella,” from Francesco Cilea’s “Adriana Lecouvreur.”

From Washington Post

Italy's parliament in December froze a 3.9-billion euro contract to build a road and rail bridge connecting Sicily to Italy's mainland, known as Ponte sullo Stretto di Messina.

From Reuters

The Duchess sat on the floor of the box reading one of them, and turning of course very rapidly over the leaves during the stretto of the "Leonora" overture.

From Project Gutenberg

Io vengo a morte, figliuol mio diletto, Se non ti tengo nelle braccia stretto.

From Project Gutenberg