Sotto voce

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Sotto voce (literally "under voice"), an Italian expression, means to speak under one's breath or to speak confidentially. In music, a dramatic lowering of the vocal or instrumental tone -- not necessarily pianissimo, but with a hushed quality. May also denote muttering in theatrical or film scripts. Actual translation means "Soft Voice". An example of Sotto voce is in the Lacrymosa from Mozart's Requiem Mass in D Minor. The singers drop down their volume in order to attain the 'hushed' quality desired.