Articulation

Legato describes a gentle articulation where notes are smoothly connected to the notes on either side.  This is in contrast to other articulations like staccato where the notes are short and detached from one another.  This legato passage is found in the sinfonia for La Villana Riconosciuta by Domenico Cimarosa (1749-1801), in the first movement, Allegro Con Spirito.  The legato section begins about four seconds into this recording.