Barcarole

Quick meaning: Barcarole is a noun meaning (music) A piece of music composed in imitation of such a song.

Meaning

(music) A piece of music composed in imitation of such a song.

More Meanings

1. (music) A Venetian folk song traditionally sung by gondoliers, often in ⁶⁄₈ or ¹²⁄₈ time with alternating strong and weak beats imitating a rowing motion.

Example Sentences

In Venice! This night is so delicious—its air / Full of moonlight and passionate snatches of song, […] / —with a song full of dole, / A forlorn barcarole, / As my gondola glides.

[H]e was in the drawing-room before any of us; and I heard him at the piano while I was yet looking after my housekeeping, singing refrains of barcaroles and drinking songs Italian and German by the score.

Later in the evening Mr. [Anton] Rubinstein played his smaller pieces, such as the march from "The Ruins of Athens," his own "Barcarolle," and "Valse Caprice," and the enthusiasm and appreciation of his intelligent audience grew greater and greater.

Venice! dear beautiful Venice! scene of harmony and love! where all was gayety and mirth, revelry and pleasure, with what warm feelings do I recall thee to my memory; day and night were the gondoliers singing barcarolles, or the verses of [Torquato] Tasso and [Ludovico] Ariosto to Venetian airs; […]

Word Forms

• barcaroles
• barcarolle

Synonyms for barcarole

Depending on context, synonyms include barcarolle.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include barcarolle, bari, canzone, bolero, sarabande, bandola.

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