What term means ‘in a singing style’ in a musical context?

The term "cantabile" translates to "in a singing style," and is often used in music to indicate that a passage should be played in a smooth, lyrical manner that mimics the qualities of a human voice. This instruction encourages musicians to focus on expressiveness and melodic phrasing, much like a singer would when interpreting a melody. The emphasis on fluidity and emotion is characteristic of cantabile passages, making them particularly effective for conveying feelings and moods in performances.

On the other hand, "cantante" refers to a singer or the act of singing and does not convey the specific directive of performing a piece in a lyrical manner. "Legato" indicates that notes should be played smoothly and connected without any perceptible gaps, but it does not inherently imply a singing style. "Allegro" describes a tempo that is fast and lively, which relates more to the speed of the music rather than the quality of its execution in a singing manner.