Da lontano

As Printed on a Score

Printed above a part (also lontano, come da lontano, in lontananza) at a passage that should sound distant — by soft playing on stage or by placing players offstage. It lasts for that passage.

Also spelled: lontano, in lontananza, dal lontano

How Composers Use It

Distance is partly dynamics and partly colour: a soft, slightly veiled tone, little vibrato, a mute on brass. Say whether you mean an imitation of distance or actual offstage players (dietro la scena), since they need different logistics. German scores ask for the same effect as wie aus der Ferne.