intermezzo

/ˌɪntəˈmetsəʊ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪntərˈmetsəʊ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌin-tər-ˈmet-(ˌ)sō -ˈmed-(ˌ)zō/ (ame, mw)

intermezzo — noun

  • intermezzosingular
  • intermezzosplural
  • intermezziplural

1. a short instrumental composition or performance that fills the gap between acts

1.名詞C1
釋義

a short instrumental composition or performance that fills the gap between acts or sections of a longer stage work, concert, or opera

例句

The orchestra played a delicate intermezzo between the second and third acts of the opera.

placement: between acts of an opera

Lucia picked a famous intermezzo by the Italian composer Mascagni for her piano recital.

同義詞
  • interlude

    broader term; can describe any break in activity, not just musical

  • entr'acte

    French loanword specifically for music between acts of a play or opera

  • divertimento

    a light, entertaining musical piece, not necessarily placed between larger sections

  • divertissement

    a short ballet or dance interlude within a larger performance

用法筆記

Often appears in music criticism, concert program notes, and opera reviews. The related Italian plural intermezzi is still used in formal writing alongside the anglicized intermezzos.

常見錯誤

❌The TV show had a short intermezzo before the final scene.
✅The TV show had a short interlude before the final scene.
💡intermezzo refers specifically to music or live stage performance, not recorded media.
❌She wrote an intermezzo chapter between parts one and two.
✅She wrote an interlude chapter between parts one and two.
💡intermezzo describes a musical or theatrical piece, not a section of a written work.