recitative

¹

[res-i-tey-tiv, ri-sahy-tuh-]

adjective

1. pertaining to or of the nature of recital.

recitative

²

Also rec·i·ta·tif

[res-i-tuh-teev]

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.

recitative

¹

/ ˌrɛsɪtəˈtiːv /

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

recitative

²

/ rɪˈsaɪtətɪv /

adjective

1. of or relating to recital

recitative

1. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of recitative¹

First recorded in 1855–60; recite + -ative

Origin of recitative²

From the Italian word recitativo, dating back to 1635–45; recite, -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of recitative¹

C17: from Italian recitativo ; see _recite

Example Sentences

French opera at the end of the 17th century had not yet become codified with recitatives and arias.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The songs often seem closer to recitative, burdened as they are with busy lyrics that seem to be riding generic background music.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The vocal style is lyrical yet speech-like — not exactly recitative, nor song, nor sung speech, but an amalgam of all three.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Even though the piece felt quasi-operatic, with recitative, climactic high notes, dramatic flourishes and string tremolos, Bridges overwhelmed the quartet’s slender, glimmering sound with her plush, powerful singing.

Read more on New York Times

But that grand-opera version, with its recitative — and some ballet music adapted from the Bizet catalog — was finalized after the composer’s death.

Read more on New York Times