A cappella [a kapˈpɛlla] (Italian for "in the manner of the chapel") music is specifically group or solo singing without instrumental accompaniment, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It contrasts with cantata, which is accompanied singing. The term "a cappella" was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato style. In the 19th century a renewed interest in Renaissance polyphony coupled with an ignorance of the fact that vocal parts were often doubled by instrumentalists led to the term coming to mean unaccompanied vocal music. The term is also used, albeit rarely, as a synonym for alla breve. COUNT 5
QSN1 What does A cappella mean in the Italian language? ANS1 in the manner of the chapel QSN2 What is another term occasionally used to refer to A cappella? ANS2 alla breve QSN3 At what point did Renaissance polyphony become popular again? ANS3 19th century QSN4 How is A cappella currently defined? ANS4 group or solo singing without instrumental accompaniment QSN5 A cappella was originally used to tell the difference between which two styles? ANS5 Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato