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The word for today is…
leitmotif (noun) – 1. A melodic passage or phrase, especially in Wagnerian opera, associated with a specific character, situation, or element.
- A dominant and recurring theme, as in a novel.
Source : The Free Dictionary
Etymology : The English word leitmotif (or leitmotiv, as it is also spelled) comes from the German Leitmotiv, meaning “leading motive,” and is formed from the verb leiten (“to lead”) and the noun Motiv (“motive”). In its original sense, the word applies to opera music; it was first used by writers interpreting the works of composer Richard Wagner, who was famous for associating a melody with a character or important dramatic element. Leitmotif is still commonly used with reference to music and musical drama but it is now also used more broadly to refer to any recurring theme in the arts or in everyday life.
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