The New International Encyclopædia/Finale

FINALE, fē̇-nä′lā̇ (It., end). The name given to that part of a musical composition which finishes the act of an opera; also to the last movement of a cyclical instrumental composition, as in the symphony, quartet, quintet, sonata, etc. The character of the finale in purely instrumental works is generally lively. In the opera it depends on the subject, sometimes being an aria alone, instead of the usual full concerted music for soli and chorus.