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

"Dov' e mai quel core amante," she murmured in Italian, as la Tinti began the delightful aria of the stretto in which she implores pity for her grief.

From Massimilla Doni by Balzac, Honoré de

One of its rules was that every fugue should have a stretto.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 2 "Constantine Pavlovich" to "Convention" by Various

He was thinking more of his prima donna than of Elcia when he wrote that stretto.

From Massimilla Doni by Balzac, Honoré de

This splendid treatment of the voices, recurring three times, ends in the last strophe with a stretto in G major of absolutely overpowering effect.

From Massimilla Doni by Balzac, Honoré de

Mistress Page then enters with the subject, followed by Sweet Anne in stretto, Pistol meanwhile starting with the counter-subject, closely followed by Ford, with Dr Caius in stretto.

From Shakespeare and Music by Wilson, Christopher