Maestro
{{short description|Title of respect given to a master musician}}
{{Other uses}}
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File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-R92264, Herbert von Karajan.jpg conducting in 1941]]
Maestro ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|aɪ|s|t|r|oʊ}}; from the Italian maestro {{IPA|it|maˈestro; maˈɛstro|}}, meaning "master" or "teacher,"{{Cite web |url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=maestro |title=Online Etymology Dictionary |access-date=2009-10-11 |archive-date=2011-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923075603/http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=maestro |url-status=live }} plural: maestros or maestri) is an honorific title of respect, sometimes abbreviated Mo. The term is most commonly used in the context of Western classical music and opera, in line with the ubiquitous use of Italian musical terms. The feminine form of the word is maestra (pl. maestre).
The word is often used outside of music to refer to individuals of great skill or virtuosity. Roger Federer, one of the greatest tennis players of all time, is nicknamed "the Swiss Maestro" by fans.{{Cite web |last=Krishnan |first=Shivom |date=2025-02-25 |title=Roger Federer called 'washed' by ex-American pro in playful banter after Swiss' unique practice session resurfaces |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-roger-federer-called-washed-ex-american-pro-playful-banter-swiss-unique-practice-session-resurfaces |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en-us}}
In music
The word maestro is most often used in addressing or referring to conductors. Less frequently, one might refer to respected composers, performers, impresarios, musicologists, and music teachers.
In the world of Italian opera, the title is also used to designate a number of positions within the orchestra and company that have specific duties during rehearsal and performance. These include:
- Maestro sostituto or maestro collaboratore: musicians who act as répétiteurs and assistant conductors during performances.
- Maestro concertatore: the keyboard continuo player, who prepares singers and leads rehearsals.{{Cite Grove |author= |title=Maestro concertatore}}
- Maestro direttore: the leader of the first violins of the orchestra (see concertmaster), who may also have administrative duties such as hiring and paying musicians.{{Cite Grove |author= |title=Maestro direttore}}
- Maestro suggeritore: the prompter.
See also
References
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Further reading
- {{cite book |last=Lebrecht |first=Norman |author-link=Norman Lebrecht |title=The Maestro Myth: Great Conductors in Pursuit of Power |edition=2nd revised |date=1 January 2001 |orig-year=First published 1991 |publisher=Citadel Press |isbn=0-8065-2088-4|ref=none}}
- Kennedy, Michael (2006), The Oxford Dictionary of Music, 985 pages, {{ISBN|0-19-861459-4}}
- {{cite book|last1=Warrack|first1=John|author-link=John Warrack|last2=West|first2=Ewan|title=The Oxford Dictionary of Opera|date=15 October 1992|publisher=Oxford University Press, USA|isbn=0-19-869164-5|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/oxforddictionary00warr|ref=none}}
{{Conducting}}
{{Opera terms}}