A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Da Capo

DA CAPO, or D.C.—'from the beginning'—is placed at the end of the second part of an air, or chorus ('O the pleasure"), or scherzo and trio, or other movement in two portions, to show that the first portion is to be played over again as a conclusion. In airs the direction is often Dal Segno—'from the sign'—the sign being a at the beginning of the first portion. In scherzos and minuets, with trios, the direction at the end of the trio is usually 'Scherzo, or Minuetto, D.C. senza repetizione.' The first known occurrence of Da Capo is in Tenaglia's opera of 'Clearco' (1661) [App. p.604 "Cavalli's opera of 'Giasone' (1655)"].