Bel canto
Bel canto (Italian for 'beautiful singing' / 'beautiful song', Italian: [ˈbɛl ˈkanto])—with several similar constructions (belcanto, bellezze del canto, bell'arte del canto, pronounced in American English as )—is a term with several meanings that relate to Italian singing, and whose definitions have often been misunderstood. Bel canto was not only seen as a vocal technique, but also as a source of national pride for Italians, specifically in how the musical qualities aligned with their identity.