virtuoso

views updated Jun 08 2018

vir·tu·o·so / ˌvərchoōˈōsō/ • n. (pl. -si / -sē/ or -sos ) a person highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit: a celebrated clarinet virtuoso| [as adj.] virtuoso guitar playing. ∎  a person with a special knowledge of or interest in works of art or curios.DERIVATIVES: vir·tu·os·ic / -ˈäsik; -ˈōsik/ adj.vir·tu·os·i·ty / -ˈäsitē/ n.

virtuoso

views updated May 23 2018

virtuoso (It.).
1. As noun: a performer of exceptional skill with particular reference to technical ability.

2.  As adjective: a performance of exceptional technical accomplishment. There is sometimes an implication that a virtuoso performance excludes emotional and expressive artistry, or subdues it to technical display, but a true virtuoso is both technician and artist.