Bundesarchiv Bild 183-R92264, Herbert von Karajan

Maestro (; from the Italian '' maestro'' , meaning " master" or " teacher") 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, in line with the ubiquitous use of List of Italian musical terms used in English#Musical direction, Italian musical terms.

In music

The word ''maestro'' is most often used in addressing or referring to conducting, conductors. Less frequently, one might refer to respected composers, Performing arts#Music, performers, impresarios, musicologists, and music education, 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 Basso continuo, 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 (opera), prompter

In music

See also

References

Further reading