Performance
Con spirito
With spirit, lively.
What it means
Con spirito, Italian for “with spirit,” calls for a lively, alert delivery with inner drive. Unlike a plain tempo marking, it points to a mentally lively stance shown through clear articulation and rhythmic freshness.
Musical use
Con spirito often appears with tempo markings such as Allegro con spirito, denoting a movement of cheerful, energetic character. It should be distinguished from con fuoco, which points more toward passion and force, whereas con spirito suggests freshness, wit, and mental agility.
Performance practice
For con spirito, play with clear articulation and rhythmic precision that give the piece lightness and drive. Keep phrases alert and pointed rather than heavy or sluggish.