Fanatico
“Fanatically, enthusiastically” – Italian performance direction.
What it means
Fanatico is a rare Italian performance direction meaning “fanatical” or “enthusiastic.” It asks for a glowing, exuberant expression that surrenders wholly to a cause or a feeling.
Musical use
The marking occurs only occasionally and belongs to the expression marks that describe a particular emotional attitude without fixing tempo or volume. It stands close to appassionato or con fuoco but stresses the ardent and obsessed more than mere passion.
Fanatico should be distinguished from espressivo, which asks only generally for expression, and from furioso, which means an angry, violent character. Fanatico can also stand in quiet dynamics when the music is meant to be rapt and absorbed.
Performance practice
At fanatico, give yourself entirely to the expression without losing technical control: a heightened tone, clear accents, and a tense, urgent pulse make the character audible. Read the score for further hints on tempo and dynamics, since fanatico alone fixes neither.