Recitative

Handel, Lascia ch’io pianga autograph score, 1711

File:Bach - cantata 140. 2. recitative.ogg Recitative is a style of delivery in which a singer is allowed to adopt the rhythms of ordinary speech. Recitative is used in the narrative and dialogue parts of an opera, cantata, oratorio, and other forms of musical theatre. It differs from the more melodic aria in that it is more speech-like and free in form. Recitative has been an important part of opera and other musical forms since the late 16th century, providing a way to advance the plot and develop characters in a more direct and natural manner than through song alone.

History

Recitative originated in the late 16th century with the Camerata, a group of Florentine humanists, musicians, poets, and intellectuals. These innovators sought to revive the storytelling and emotional expression of ancient Greek theater by creating a new musical form that combined the spoken word with music. This led to the development of the earliest operas, which utilized recitative as a way to imitate the natural inflections of speech.

Types of Recitative

There are primarily two types of recitative found in music:

• Secco recitative, accompanied only by a basso continuo or a harpsichord, is more speech-like and sparse in its musical accompaniment.
• Accompanied recitative (or recitativo accompagnato), which features a full orchestra accompaniment, providing a more dramatic and expressive setting.

Function and Use

Recitative serves several functions in musical compositions:

• It advances the storyline, moving the plot forward between the more static arias or ensembles.
• It allows for direct expression of thoughts and emotions by the characters, providing insight into their motivations and reactions.
• In opera, it often serves as a transition between scenes or as an introduction to an aria.

Characteristics

• Rhythmic freedom: Recitative is characterized by its free rhythm, designed to mimic the natural flow of speech.
• Sparse accompaniment: Especially in secco recitative, the accompaniment is minimal, often just a bass line with chords.
• Declamatory style: The vocal delivery in recitative is more about declamation than melody, focusing on the text's clear articulation.

Influence and Evolution

Over the centuries, the use and style of recitative have evolved. In the Baroque period, it was a fundamental part of operas and oratorios, used extensively by composers like Claudio Monteverdi, George Frideric Handel, and Johann Sebastian Bach. In the Classical era, composers like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven continued to develop the form, blending it more seamlessly with the aria. In the 19th century, with the rise of through-composed operas, the distinction between recitative and aria began to blur, as seen in the works of Richard Wagner and others.

Modern Usage

Today, recitative is still used in opera and musical theatre, though its form and function have continued to evolve. Modern composers often incorporate recitative-like passages in their works, using the form's expressive potential to convey dialogue and narrative.

See Also

• Opera
• Aria
• Camerata (Florentine)
• Basso continuo
• Oratorio