bel canto

Literally 'beautiful singing'; a style of vocal melody originating in 18th and 19th century Italian opera characterised by long, flowing, ornamented lines and smooth legato phrasing. Applied to piano writing, it demands a sustained cantabile tone that imitates the human voice.

Shape each melodic phrase as a singer would — with a clear breath point at phrase endings, a natural dynamic arch toward the peak of the phrase, and legato connection between notes even in large intervals. Avoid percussive attacks on melody notes.