pastorale

[ pas-tuh-rahl, -ral, -rah-lee, pah-stuh-; Italian pahs-taw-rah-le ]

noun

, Music.

, plural pas·to·rales, pas·to·ra·li [pas-t, uh, -, rah, -lee, -, ral, -ee, pahs-taw-, rah, -lee].

1. an opera, cantata, or the like, with a pastoral subject.
2. a piece of music suggestive of pastoral life.

pastorale

/ ˌpæstəˈrɑːl /

noun

1. a composition evocative of rural life, characterized by moderate compound duple or quadruple time and sometimes a droning accompaniment
2. a musical play based on a rustic story, popular during the 16th century

Word History and Origins

Origin of pastorale¹

1715–25; < Italian, noun use of pastorale pastoral

Word History and Origins

Origin of pastorale¹

C18: Italian, from Latin: pastoral

Example Sentences

Do you know Palemon, fable bocagre et pastorale, by the Sieur Frnicle?

From Project Gutenberg

An Andante Pastorale from an unpublished symphony met with a favourable reception.

From Project Gutenberg

He called his production 'La Pastorale, premire comdie franaise en musique.'

From Project Gutenberg

It is in imitation of a national song, and is sometimes like a slow gigue, sometimes like a pastorale.

From Project Gutenberg

Down the street came some forty young men and girls singing a wild Sicilian pastorale, each verse of which ended in a weird turn.

From Project Gutenberg