Question about a performance direction
What does this *Allo* mean? Is it an abbreviation of a word (e.g. allegro) or a language component?
(This score is written in Italian terms.)
I've seen this in many predated scores. Curious, I went on an information quest for answers --- alas, none have explained in great detail this mystery. Some defined it as 'quickly', but it wasn't for an Italian translation, and their wording of 'allo' did not depict the characteristics of a superscripted o and a small dot beneath.
So, I am hoping that the fellows at Musescore would be able to furnish my inquisition - and the ways so we may be able to recognise more similar terms like this.
Comments
Indeed, it's an abbreviation of Allegro:
![allegro.jpg]( "allegro.jpg")
In reply to Indeed, it's an abbreviation by cadiz1
I see! Thank you for your reply - also, may I know what the superscripted 'o' is called? And in terms of typography, is it this symbol °?
In reply to I see! Thank you for your by Ragokyo
That symbol undoubtedly could be used today ... as could a superscript letter-oh.
In reply to I see! Thank you for your by Ragokyo
Traditionally, the last letter (or two) of an ordinal descriptive such as 'second' or 'deuxième', or 'seventeenth' or 'dix-septième' was added as a superscript to the numerical indicator to form an abbreviation. Thus, we see
in good typography, whereas in non-professional work--the sort of thing most people do when using a word processor to produce an office report or business letter--the superscript is not often used:
2nd Street / 17th Avenue
2e rue / 17e avenue
In good typography, these traditional conventions are still used today for ordinals, but the analogous convention of using the last letter of an adjective in superscript to form an abbreviation has become less common since the early 20th century (and note, the 'th' on that ordinal should have been superscripted, but I don't know which html tag to use to generate that on this forum!).
In older published work, the convention of superscripting the last letter(s) of a word after the first letter or syllable to form the abbreviation was the rule, especially in western languages other than English. Thus, we find
in many 18th and 19th century scores.
Remember the general rule: The 'obvious' beginning of a word plus the last letter (superscripted) forms the abbreviation.
In reply to Traditionally, the last by Recorder485
I see. Thank you for explaining.
In reply to Traditionally, the last by Recorder485
That's a great explanation. Thanks.