By Giulia Zarantonello
A barcarolle (from French, also barcarole; originally, Italian barcarola or barcaruola, from barca boat)[1] is a traditional folk song sung by Venetian gondoliers, or a piece of music composed in that style. In classical music, two of the most famous barcarolles are Jacques Offenbachs «Belle nuit, ô nuit damour», from his opera The Tales of Hoffmann; and Frédéric Chopins «Barcarolle in F-sharp major» for solo piano.