encore

thumb|An encore performance at the 2015 Austrian World Music Awards An encore is an additional performance given by performers at the conclusion of a show or concert, usually in response to extended applause from the audience. They are regarded as the most complimentary kind of applause for performers. Multiple encores are not uncommon, and they initially originated spontaneously, when audiences continued to applaud and demand additional performance from the artists after they had left the stage. However, in modern times they are rarely spontaneous and are usually a pre-planned part of the show.

== Origin of the encore == Encores are believed to have originated from Italian operas in the 18th century. One of the earliest recorded encores was in 1786 at the premiere of Mozart's Marriage of Figaro. Contrary to modern encores, encores were traditionally spontaneous and followed a singular piece or movement. Performers would often perform an encore to multiple pieces within one concert; this could nearly double the length of a concert.