calliope
Carnival steam organ
A calliope is a keyboard instrument that produces sound by forcing steam or compressed air through large whistles, creating a piercing tone audible over great distances.
Once common at circuses, carnivals, and on riverboats, calliopes provided festive atmosphere: The calliope's wheeze announced the circus had come to town.
The word sometimes describes any loud, discordant sound. (Capitalized Calliope is the Greek muse of epic poetry.)
steam-powered
Operated by heated vapor
whistle · fairground · carousel · circus · amusement · antique · mechanical · Victorian · brass · valves
- circuscircus, big top, clown, clowns, ringmaster
- amusement park soundsscreams, laughter, music, bells, carnival barker
- carnivalparade, costume, float, ferris wheel, roller coaster
- instrumentsguitar, guitars, piano, pianos, drum
- keyboard instrumentspiano, organ, harpsichord, clavichord, spinet
- vintage amusementscarousel, circus, ferris wheel, funhouse, midway
cultural context and atmosphere
calliopefuneral dirge
Music for mourning ceremonies
requiem · chamber music · meditation music · lullaby · gregorian chant