Crossword Genius

Performance of empty melisma during fiddle part (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rigmarole

'performance' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'of empty melisma during fiddle part' is the wordplay.
'of empty' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters) (I've seen 'emptying' mean this).
'during' indicates putting letters inside.
'fiddle' becomes 'rig' (I've seen this before).
'part' becomes 'role' (eg a theatrical role).
'melisma' with its middle taken out is 'ma'.
'rig'+'role'='rigrole'
'ma' inserted within 'rigrole' is 'RIGMAROLE'.

(Other definitions for rigmarole that I've seen before include "Long, complicated and confusing procedure" , "long, tedious business" , "Complex procedure" , "boring series" , "Elaborate procedure" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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