Intermezzi

Intermezzi, plural of intermezzo, is a term used in music to describe a short, self-contained piece that either acts as a light interlude between acts of a larger work or stands as a small, lyrical composition in its own right. The concept derives from the Italian word intermezzo, meaning “between acts,” and has roots in the theatrical intermedi that accompanied Renaissance and Baroque performances.

In Baroque opera and theatre, intermezzi were often light, comic entertainments performed between acts of a serious drama. They served to relieve tension and sometimes featured a different cast or simpler musical textures than the main work. By the mid-18th century, the practice contributed to the emergence of opera buffa, and composers such as Giovanni Battista Pergolesi wrote popular intermezzi that could be performed as independent pieces or as parts of a larger opera. Pergolesi’s La serva padrona (1733) is among the best-known examples and is frequently cited for its influence on the development of comic opera in Europe.

Beyond theatrical contexts, intermezzi became a generic designation for short instrumental or vocal pieces, particularly in the Classical and Romantic periods. They were commonly published as standalone works for piano, chamber ensembles, or small orchestral groups, often conveying intimate, melodic, and lyrical mood contrasts. In later repertoire, the label Intermezzo continued to appear for short, expressive movements within larger works or as independent miniatures, preserving the sense of a brief, reflective diversion within a broader musical journey.