adagio

Adagio is a tempo marking used in music and dance. Etymology: from Italian adagio meaning "at ease" or "slowly," derived from ad and agio (ease). In music, adagio indicates a slow, lyrical pace. It sits between andante and lento or largo in traditional tempo ordering; however, exact tempo varies by piece and style. Typical metronome marks for adagio are roughly 66–76 beats per minute, but many works specify freely.

In musical form, an adagio movement is characterized by gentle phrasing, sustained notes, and expressive shading. It is commonly found as a slow second movement in symphonies and concertos, or as a standalone piece in some instrumental repertoires. Composers use adagio to invite contemplation and a rich melodic line over a slower harmonic rhythm.

In dance, adagio refers to a slow, graceful section or sequence in ballet, often featuring partnered movements and sustained balances, contrasted with allegro or faster sections.

Notable uses include Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings, and the widely known Adagio in G minor, a piece commonly attributed to Tomaso Albinoni but whose authorship has been disputed, which has contributed to the term's enduring association with lyric, reflective music. The word also appears in various titles to denote a slow, lyrical style across centuries of music.