Bundesarchiv Bild 183-R92264, Herbert von Karajan

Maestro (; from the Italian '' maestro'' , meaning " master" or "

teacher A teacher, also called a schoolteacher or formally an educator, is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or virtue, via the practice of teaching. ''Informally'' the role of teacher may be taken on by anyone (e.g. whe ...

") is an honorific title of respect (plural: maestros or maestri). The term is most commonly used in the context of Western

classical music Classical music generally refers to the art music of the Western world, considered to be distinct from Western folk music or popular music traditions. It is sometimes distinguished as Western classical music, as the term "classical music" also ...

and

opera Opera is a form of theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a librett ...

, in line with the ubiquitous use of Italian musical terms.

In music

The word ''maestro'' is most often used in addressing or referring to conductors. Less frequently, one might refer to respected

composer A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music. Etymology and Defi ...

s, performers, impresarios, musicologists, and music teachers. In the world of

Italian opera Italian opera is both the art of opera in Italy and opera in the Italian language. Opera was born in Italy around the year 1600 and Italian opera has continued to play a dominant role in the history of the form until the present day. Many famous ...

, 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 ''

répétiteur A (from the French verb meaning 'to repeat, to go over, to learn, to rehearse') is an accompanist, tutor or coach of ballet dancers or opera singers. A feminine form, , also appears but is comparatively rare. Opera In opera, a is the person ...

s'' and assistant conductors during performances. * Maestro concertatore, the keyboard continuo player, who prepares singers and leads rehearsals. * 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 * Maestro suggeritore: the prompter

In music

See also

References

Further reading