Recitative
(re-chee-tah-TEE-veh)


[It.]

In an opera, oratorio, cantata, or other multi-movement vocal compositions, a recitative is a narrative song that describes some action, thought, or emotion. The recitative follows the natural flow of the language, and is more a speaking composition than a singing composition. The two styles of recitative are the dry (secco) style and the accompanied (stromentato, or accompagnato) style.

Also [Fr.] Récitative; [Ger.] Rezitativ; [It.] Recitativo; [Sp.] Recitativo.

SUGGESTED LISTENING EXAMPLES:

Recitative, Accompagnato, Classical:
Mozart: Don Giovanni, Act I, "Ah! del padre in periglio"
W. W. Norton - 4-CD Musical Example Bank -- Disc 3, Track 10

Recitative, Secco, Baroque:
Bach: Cantata No. 140, Wachet auf, BWV 140, "Er kommt, er kommt"

W. W. Norton - 4-CD Musical Example Bank -- Disc 2, Track 58

Recitative, secco, Classical:
Mozart: Don Giovanni, Act I, "Chi é la?"

W. W. Norton - 4-CD Musical Example Bank -- Disc 3, Track 9
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