Maestro

(It., master). An honorary name accorded, often without merit, to composers, conductors, and teachers, and even to lower species of musical eminences. In Italian, the word conveys little more than a common term for a teacher, but when used by the English, Americans, or Russians in addressing a musical celebrity, it sounds lofty and deferential.

Maestro al cembalo, a BAROQUE harpsichordist who functions as ensemble leader and sets the tempo; maestro di cappella, originally, the director of a court chapel, but now a choirmaster or conductor.