Doloroso
Sorrowful, painful
"Doloroso" is an Italian adjective that translates to "sorrowful" or "painful" in English, conveying the meanings of "suffering" or "distress".
In music, "doloroso" is an expression marking used to instruct performers to play with a painful or anguished quality, evoking a sense of emotional suffering and distress.
In other words, when interpreting "doloroso", performers should aim to convey a musical performance that expresses a deep sense of pain and anguish, allowing the audience to experience a poignant and emotionally intense musical ambiance that reflects the inner turmoil and distress inherent in the piece being played.
Example of Doloroso
Molto adagio sempre cantante doloroso
Common Expression Markings
| Musical Terms | Meaning |
| Affettuoso | Affectionate, expressive |
| Agitato | Agitated, restless |
| Animato | Animated, lively |
| Appassionato | Passionate, emotional |
| Brillante | Brilliant, shining |
| Brioso | Lively, vivacious |
| Bruscamente | Abruptly, suddenly |
| Buffo | Comic, humorous |
| Cantabile | Singing, song-like |
| Celere | Fast, quick |
| Colossale | Colossal, enormous |
| Comodo | Comfortable, convenient |
| Con amore | With love, affectionately |
| Con brio | With vigor, with spirit |
| Con forza | With force, with strength |
| Con fuoco | With fire, with passion |
| Con grazia | With grace, with elegance |
| Con moto | With motion, with movement |
| Con spirito | With spirit, with energy |
| Dolce | Sweet, gentle |
| Doloroso | Sorrowful, painful |
| Drammatico | Dramatic |
| Energico | Energetic, forceful |
| Espressivo | Expressive |
| Feroce | Fierce, ferocious |
| Festoso | Festive, joyful |
| Furioso | Furious, violent |
| Giocoso | Playful, joyful |
| Grandioso | Grand, majestic |
| Grazioso | Graceful |
| Lacrimoso | Tearful, weeping |
| Leggiero | Light |
| Maestoso | Majestic |
| Marcato | Emphasized, accentuated |
| Misterioso | Mysterious |
| Pesante | Heavy, weighty |
| Risoluto | Resolute, with determination |
| Scherzando | Jokingly, playful |
| Semplicemente | Simple, plainly |
| Slancio | Impulse, momentum |
| Solitario | Solitary, lonely |
| Sonore | Sonorous, resonant |
| Sostenuto | Sustained, steady |
| Sotto voce | Soft voice |
| Tranquillo | Calm, peaceful |
| Volante | Flying, light |