‖ pastorale
(pastoˈrale, pæstəˈrɑːlɪ)
Pl. -ali (-ˈrali), -ales.
[It., n. use of pastorale adj. pastoral.]
1. Mus. a. An instrumental composition in pastoral or rustic style, or in which pastoral sounds and scenes are represented; usually a simple melody in 6–8 time. b. An opera, cantata, or other vocal work, the subject of which is pastoral.
| 1724 Short Explic. For. Wds. Mus. Bks., Pastorale, is an Air composed after a very sweet, easy, gentle Manner, in Imitation of those Airs which Shepherds are supposed to play. 1782 Char. in Ann. Reg. 11/2 In Christmas time, all quarters of Naples resound with Pastorali or Siciliane, a kind of simple rural music, executed by..shepherds, upon a species of bagpipes. 1866 Engel Nat. Music i. 9 The theme of the Pastorale in Handel's ‘Messiah’ has been derived from the Pifferari, Italian peasants. 1880 W. B. Squire in Grove's Dict. Mus. II. 670 Pastorales had their origin in Italy, where..the study of the Eclogues of Theocritus and Virgil led to the stage representation of pastoral dramas. |
2. = pastourelle.
| 1864 Trevelyan Compet. Wallah (1866) 197 When one couple is dancing ‘Trélise’, and another ‘Pastorale’. |