Definition of the Italian term cantilena in music:
- lullaby, cradle song
- lyrical and melodious melody
- the melody part in a vocal composition (usually the top part)
- polyphonic song not based on a cantus firmus (from around 1200-1500)
- singing exercise
Italian musical terms related to cantilena:
- alba – dawn, sunrise
- aria – aria (song for a solo voice, often with instrument...
- arioso – airy, lyrical, song-like, aria-like...
- barcarola – barcarole (Venetian gondolier's song (usually in 6...
- brindisi – drinking song...
- canzo – canso (strophic troubadour song characterized by t...
- canzonaccia – vulgar song, bawdy song
- canzonetta – canzonet (song for voice and accompaniment, usuall...
- dumka – genre of Slavic folk songs
- epicedio – epicedium (funeral song or ode)
- gondeliera – barcarole (Venetian gondolier's song, usually in 6...
- inno – hymn (song of praise)
- lauda – praise...
- maggiolata – May song, spring song
- mattinata – morning song (typically a serenade or love song su...
- napolitana – Neapolitan song (traditional form of song in the N...
- nenia – funeral song of ancient Rome, lament, dirge
- recitativo – recitative (solo song in a dramatic work where the...
- stornello – type of traditional Tuscan folk song (often improv...
- villanella – villanella (generic term for various popular songs...
- villanesca – villanella (generic term for various popular songs...
- villota – villota (type of popular song found mainly in Nort...
- zingaresca – Gypsy song
