intermezzo

[ in-ter-met-soh, -med-zoh ]

/ ˌɪn tərˈmɛt soʊ, -ˈmɛd zoʊ /

a short dramatic, musical, or other entertainment of light character, introduced between the acts of a drama or opera.

a short musical composition between main divisions of an extended musical work.

a short, independent musical composition.

Origin of intermezzo

1805–15; < Italian < Late Latin intermedium; see intermediary

This confusion of Poliziano's "Orfeo" with spoken drama interspersed with intermezzi is unfortunate.

Some Forerunners of Italian Opera |William James Henderson
With the orchestral works should go two intermezzi for "The Masque of Pandora," finished later than the overture.

Woman's Work in Music |Arthur Elson
There were no intermezzi at the representation of this lyric drama.

Some Forerunners of Italian Opera |William James Henderson
At the same time, there is no doubt that the distracting Intermezzi did serious harm to the drama.

The Civilisation of the Renaissance in Italy |Jacob Burckhardt

Yet, what a master miniaturist he is in his little piano pieces, his Intermezzi.

Unicorns |James Huneker

intermezzo

/ (ˌɪntəˈmɛtsəʊ) /

a short piece of instrumental music composed for performance between the acts or scenes of an opera, drama, etc

an instrumental piece either inserted between two longer movements in an extended composition or intended for independent performance

another name for interlude (def. 3)

C19: from Italian, from Late Latin intermedium interval; see intermediate