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siciliana

see-chee-lee-AH-nah

[Italian]

1. A type of aria or instrumental movement in the late 17th and 18th centuries. The siciliana (also siciliano) was normally written as a dance in a slow 6/8 or 12/8 time with short phrases. Use of the siciliana after the 18th century was commonly linked to peasant dances of Sicily in pastoral scenes with melancholy emotions often in a minor key. This is often seen as alla siciliano or in the style of a siciliana
 
2. A style of accompanied recitation of poetry or singing of poetry (strambotto siciliano) that was employed in the 14th century through the early 17th century. 
 
3. A dance, similar to a slow gigue, that was popular from the late 16th to the 18th century. Although included in dance suites, little is known of the siciliana as a real dance.

See Also

[French] sicilienne (f)
[German] Siciliano (m)
[Italian] ciciliano (f)

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Last Updated: 2016-06-12 13:39:24