Cavatina

For the piece of music known as 'Cavatina' or 'Theme from The Deer Hunter', see Cavatina (song)

Cavatina (Italian diminutive of cavata, the producing of tone from an instrument, plural cavatine) is a musical term, originally a short song of simple character, without a second strain or any repetition of the air. It is now frequently applied to a simple melodious air, as distinguished from a brilliant aria, recitative, etcetera, and often forms part of a large movement or scena in oratorio or opera.

This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica.