Which term means with spirit?

• A. Con fuoco
• B. Con brio
• C. Sforzando
• D. Rinforzando

Answer: (B)

In musical expressions, con brio literally means with spirit or vivacity. Here, brio is the quality of lively, energetic character, so con brio tells you to play with brightness, buoyancy, and animated energy. It’s a mood directive that often appears in fast or agile music, such as Allegro con brio, guiding the performer to combine speed with spirited attitude.

The other terms shade the energy differently: con fuoco means with fire—fiery and intense; a strong but more heating, combative energy. Sforzando is an instruction to push a note or chord with a sudden, forceful accent. Rinforzando indicates reinforcing or reinforcing the emphasis on a note or chord, again a momentary push rather than a general mood. So the direct match for “with spirit” is con brio.