What does 'marcato' mean in music notation?

'Marcato' is an Italian musical term that indicates a specific style of playing or singing. When a note or passage is marked as 'marcato', it should be played with emphasis and a strong articulation. This makes it sound more pronounced compared to other notes, typically with a slightly accented quality.

In practice, this means that musicians should focus on delivering the notes with a clear and forceful attack while maintaining a steady rhythm. This technique serves to highlight important melodic or harmonic elements within the music, helping to create a more dynamic expression.

The other terms in the options represent different articulations or styles: 'softly' suggests a gentle dynamic, 'slowly' refers to a slower tempo, and 'lightly' implies a softer or less forceful approach, which contrasts with the emphatic nature of 'marcato'. Thus, 'marcato' distinctly indicates a strong and accented style of performance.