impresario
UK[ˌɪmprəˈsɑːriəʊ]US[ˌɪmprəˈsɑːrioʊ]
n
a person who organizes and often finances concerts, plays, or operas.
Etymology
the word 'impresario' entered english in the mid-18th century directly from italian, where it means "undertaker" or "manager." the italian term itself derives from 'impresa,' meaning "an undertaking or enterprise." this 'impresa' originates from the medieval latin verb 'imprehendere,' meaning "to undertake," which is formed from the latin prefix 'in-' (into, on) and 'prehendere' (to seize, to grasp). thus, the literal sense of one who "seizes upon an undertaking" evolved into the modern, specialized meaning of a manager of public entertainments, particularly in music and theater.
Analysis
the word is a loanword borrowed as a whole unit from italian. it is not productively segmented using english morphemes.
Examples
the famous impresario brought the opera company to london for a month-long season.
she worked as an impresario, organizing concert tours for up-and-coming jazz musicians.
the festival's success was largely due to the vision and connections of its artistic impresario.