Definition

Adverb & Adjective (Musical Direction): - A tempo marking instructing musicians to perform a passage both quickly (allegro) and with spirit, liveliness, or animation (con spirito). It denotes a brisk, energetic, and spirited character.

Usage

This term is used exclusively as a musical instruction written on a score to guide the tempo (speed) and character (mood) of the performance. It functions as both an adverb (describing how to play) and an adjective (describing the character of the passage).

Examples

• The symphony's final movement is marked allegro con spirito, requiring the orchestra to play with vigorous speed and joy.
• She practiced the allegro con spirito section repeatedly to master its lively runs.
• The composer's indication of allegro con spirito transformed the simple melody into an exhilarating finale.

Advanced Usage

• As a noun, it can refer to a piece or passage of music to be played in this manner.
  • The pianist excelled in the allegro con spirito, her fingers flying across the keys with brilliant energy.

Variants and Related Words

• Allegro: A fast, quick, and bright tempo.
• Con spirito: An instruction meaning "with spirit" or "with animation." It is often combined with other tempo markings.
• Spiritoso: An independent musical term with a very similar meaning to "con spirito," implying a spirited manner.

Synonyms (Musical Character)

• Animato: Animated, lively.
• Vivace: Lively and fast.
• Brio (as in "con brio"): With vigor, spirit.

Antonyms (Musical Character)

• Lento: Slowly.
• Adagio: Slowly and gracefully.
• Mesto: Sad, mournful.

Noun

1. lively with spirit