A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Dolce

DOLCE, i. e. sweetly; a sign usually accompanied by piano, softly—p dol., and implying that a sweet melodious feeling is to be put into the phrase. Beethoven (op. 59, no. 1) has mf e dolce; and Schumann begins the Finale of his E♭ Symphony with f dolce, which is difficult to realise.