![a capella a capella](https://www.tekportal.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/a-capella.jpg)
1876, earlier alla capella (1847), from Italian, “in the manner of the chapel,” literally “according to the chapel,” from cappella “chapel” (see chapel). Originally in reference to older church music (pre-1600) which was written for unaccompanied voices; applied 20c. to unaccompanied vocal music generally.