Entreludes

Entreludes, singular entrelude, is a term used in music and theater to denote a short piece or scene placed between larger sections of a work. The word is the French-derived form of interlude, literally “between acts,” and is used chiefly in historical or genre-specific scholarship. In theatre, an entrelude may be a brief dramatic scene, song, or dance that serves as a transition between acts or major scenes, sometimes providing divertissement or commentary on the preceding material. In music, an entrelude is a short instrumental piece that bridges movements within a suite or concerto, or that functions as a linking moment between sections.

Etymology: from French entre- “between” + lude (from Latin ludus, “play”). The term has largely fallen out of common usage in modern repertoires, with entr’acte and intermezzo more widely used to describe similar functions; however, entreludes appear in historical scores and treatises.

Historical usage: The term is most often found in early modern European works, particularly French theatre and instrumental music of the 17th and 18th centuries, where entreludes were used to smooth transitions, manage pacing, or provide contrast between acts or movements.

Modern status: In contemporary musicology, entreludes are described as a subtype of interludes or entr’actes when discussing historical repertoires. The function can vary by context, but the core idea remains a brief piece designed to bridge or separate sections.

See also: interlude, entr’acte, entre-acte, intermezzo.