comportato

Comportato is a musical articulation term used to indicate a lightly detached style of playing within a phrase. It is often described as between legato and staccato, yielding a gentle separation without fully breaking the line. In many contexts it is closely related to the concept of portato or mezzo-staccato, with an emphasis on a controlled, expressive delivery rather than abrupt articulation.

Notational practice for comportato varies by edition and era. A common realization is a slur over a group of notes with tenuto marks or with dots placed under the slur. Some editions use only tenuto marks wrapped under the same slur, while others treat comportato as a distinct sign. Because there is no single universal symbol, performers rely on context, notation conventions, and editors’ guidance to achieve the intended balance between legato feel and light detachment.

Etymology and historical usage: The term is Italian and has been used in various periods, especially from the Baroque through the Romantic era. It is often discussed in relation to portato, with some editors treating comportato as synonymous and others reserving comportato for a more restrained or differently nuanced articulation. Modern editors may differ in whether they differentiate the two terms or use them interchangeably.

In performance practice, comportato typically applies to melodic lines in keyboard and string literature, and can appear in vocal music as well. It conveys a lyrical, expressive style that preserves the musical line while introducing subtle articulation. See also: portato, legato, staccato, tenuto.