barcarole
/ˈbɑːkərəʊl
/ /ˌbɑːkəˈrəʊl /(also barcarolle /ˈbɑːkərɒl/ /ˌbɑːkəˈrɒl/)
noun
1A song traditionally sung by Venetian gondoliers.The gondolier's song, the barcarole, moves-like all music-in time; but also on the boat and water from which it is originally sung....
- A barcarolle is characterized by a rhythm reminiscent of the gondolier's stroke, almost invariably a moderate tempo 6/8 meter.
- This boat song, a barcarolle of tender grace, gently rocks with the gondola in the meandering waterways.
1.1A musical composition in the style of a barcarole.While most of the pieces are quite brilliant and therefore frequently found on recital programs, one should not ignore the only lyrical piece in the collection, Pastorale, a lovely, flowing piece in the style of a barcarolle....
- In the 18th and 19th centuries the barcarole inspired a considerable number of vocal and instrumental compositions, ranging from opera arias to character pieces for piano.
- The name alludes to the Barcarole ariaa Venetian boat songfrom Jacques Offenbach's opera, Les Contes d'Hoffmann.
Origin
Late 18th century: from French barcarolle, from Venetian Italian barcarola 'boatman's song', from barca 'boat'.