carattere

[ Italian , character ]

Definition

A directive to a performer to perform the indicated section of a composition with a specific "character" or style
 
For example, the directive "Fieramente, un poco ritenuto, col carattere di Recitative misurato" would mean to perform the indicated section of a composition "Proudly, a little more slowly, with the character of the measured recitative (recitative with a strict tempo and full accompaniment)".