Spettacolo

Spettacolo is an Italian noun meaning "show" or "spectacle." It is used to refer to events or performances designed for public entertainment, including live theater, opera, concerts, dance, circus shows, as well as films and television programs. In everyday language it can denote both the act of performing and the event itself, as in “uno spettacolo teatrale” or “spettacolo televisivo.” The plural form is spettacoli.

Etymology and scope: The word derives from Latin spectaculum, from specere “to look.” Through medieval and early modern Italian, it acquired the sense of something presented for spectators. Today it covers a wide range of performing arts and entertainment formats, and it can function as a generic label for the entertainment industry or for a specific program, venue, or season.

Usage and connotations: Spettacolo frequently appears in media, reviews, and programming notes. It is commonly qualified with modifiers such as dal vivo (live), cinematografico (cinematic/film-based), or televisivo (television). The term can also carry metaphorical meanings, referring to something striking or ostentatious—“un vero spettacolo” in the sense of a remarkable display—though in neutral contexts it mainly denotes public entertainment.

See also: Theatre, cinema, television, performing arts, entertainment industry.