recitative









recitative


adjective

  1. pertaining to or of the nature of recital.

adjective

  1. of the nature of or resembling recitation or declamation.

noun

  1. a style of vocal music intermediate between speaking and singing.
  2. a passage, part, or piece in this style.

noun

  1. a passage in a musical composition, esp the narrative parts in an oratorio, set for one voice with either continuo accompaniment only or full accompaniment, reflecting the natural rhythms of speech

adjective

  1. of or relating to recital
n.

“style of musical declamation intermediate between speech and singing, form of song resembling declamation,” 1650s, from Italian recitativo, from recitato, past participle of recitare, from Latin recitare “read out, read aloud” (see recite). From 1640s as an adjective. The Italian form of the word was used in English from 1610s.

A part of a cantata, opera, or oratorio in which singers converse, describe action, or declaim. It moves the action forward between the high musical moments. Recitatives are distinguished from arias, which are more expressive and musically more elaborate. Recitatives usually have only one syllable of text for each note of music, and the accompaniment by instruments is often very simple.

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