divertimento

/dɪˌvɜːtɪˈmentəʊ/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˌvɜːrtɪˈmentəʊ/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˌvər-tə-ˈmen-(ˌ)tō -ˌver-/ (ame, mw)

divertimento — noun

1. a short, cheerful classical composition — typically scored for just a handful of

1.名詞C2
釋義

a short, cheerful classical composition — typically scored for just a handful of instruments — whose aim is to amuse the listener rather than to explore deep feeling.

例句

Mozart wrote his most famous divertimento for a small string ensemble in Salzburg.

a divertimento for + [ensemble]

The Sunday concert opened with a cheerful divertimento by Haydn, and the audience smiled throughout.

a divertimento by + [composer]

同義詞
  • serenade

    also light and entertaining, but historically tied to evening performance outdoors

  • cassation

    very similar in style and period, also for small ensemble, but less common as a term today

  • suite

    broader; a set of pieces in different styles, not necessarily light or cheerful

反義詞
  • symphony

    long and serious orchestral work, usually with deep emotional content

  • requiem

    solemn musical setting for the dead — opposite mood from a divertimento

文法句型

a divertimento by [composer]

a divertimento in [key]

用法筆記

Always countable; commonly paired with a composer name ('a Mozart divertimento') or an instrument group ('for strings', 'for wind quintet'). The plural in formal writing is sometimes 'divertimenti' (Italian) but 'divertimentos' is also accepted.

常見錯誤

❌I listened to some divertimento last night.
✅I listened to a divertimento last night.
💡countable noun; use 'a' or a plural form, not a mass-noun reading.
❌The orchestra played a divertimento that was very sad and heavy.
✅The orchestra played a symphony that was very sad and heavy.
💡a divertimento is by definition light and entertaining; if the piece is heavy, it is not a divertimento.