A song which is outside the general dramatic action, in other words, a song within a sung drama. Examples include the Canzone del Salce (the Willow Song) in Verdi's Otello, and the Veil Song in Verdi's Don Carlos.

an important Italian instrumental form of the C16 and C17, evolved from the French chanson, and precursor of the C18 sonata.

(1) 16th/17th century instrumental genre in the manner of a French polyphonic chanson, characterized by the juxtaposition of short contrasting sections (2) term applied to any of several types of secular vocal music.

A song, or ballad, or "in the style of a song".

1) designation for a lyrical song, particularly in Italian operas; 2) an important type of instrumental music of the 16th and 17th centuries, which developed from a Franco-Flemish chansons or the early 16th century

(kan-zon´-ah). A type of Renaissance instrumental composition derived from the French chanson.