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[[File:Handel,_Lascia_ch’io_pianga_autograph_score,_1711.jpg|Handel, Lascia ch’io pianga autograph score, 1711|thumb]] [[File:Bach_-_cantata_140._2._recitative.ogg|Bach - cantata 140. 2. recitative.ogg|thumb|left]] '''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]]

[[Category:Opera terminology]]
[[Category:Musical forms]]
[[Category:Vocal music]]

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Recitative - Revision history

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