Definition of Recitative

1. Noun. A vocal passage of narrative text that a singer delivers with natural rhythms of speech.

Generic synonyms: Musical Passage, Passage
Specialized synonyms: Arioso

Definition of Recitative

1. n. A species of musical recitation in which the words are delivered in a manner resembling that of ordinary declamation; also, a piece of music intended for such recitation; -- opposed to melisma.

2. a. Of or pertaining to recitation; intended for musical recitation or declamation; in the style or manner of recitative.

Definition of Recitative

1. Noun. (music) dialogue, in an opera etc, that, rather than being sung as an aria, is reproduced with the rhythms of normal speech, often with simple musical accompaniment or harpsichord continuo, serving to expound the plot ¹

2. Adjective. of a recital ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Recitative

1. [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Recitative

recirculating
recirculation
recirculations
recision
recisions
recission
recissions
recit
recital
recitalist
recitalists
recitals
recitation
recitational
recitations
recitative (current term)
recitativelike
recitatively
recitatives
recitativi
recitativo
recitativos
recite
recited
recitement
recitements
reciter
reciters
recites
reciting

Literary usage of Recitative

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Dwight's Journal of Music by John Sullivan Dwight (1867)
"recitative. 124 Thus saith the Lord. CHORUS. 124 And they laid wait for Paul. ... 140 34 And they called Barnabas, recitative. 143 35 О he gracious, ..."

2. The American Cyclopaedia: A Popular Dictionary of General Knowledge edited by George Ripley, Charles Anderson Dana (1883)
"recitative (Lat. recitare, to recite ; called by the Italians música parlante, ... Although written in common time, the recitative may be delivered by the ..."

3. Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians by George Grove (1908)
"What simple or unaccompanied recitative (Recitativo worn) is to-day, it was, ... Hence it is, that the best poetry for recitative is blank verse ; and hence ..."

4. Encyclopædia Americana: A Popular Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature by Thomas Gamaliel Bradford (1835)
"In its approach to speech, there- re, the recitative is mostly syllabic song, ... When the recitative approaches still more to the strict song, ..."

5. The Works of the English Poets, from Chaucer to Cowper: Including the Series by Samuel Johnson (1810)
"Yet if our power cannot relieve, our pity sure may share. recitative.—NAOMI. ... And stripp'd of foliage and of fruit, a blasted branch recitative. ..."

6. Musical Letters from Abroad: Including Detailed Accounts of the Birmingham by Lowell Mason (1854)
"recitative, Mr. Weiss and Miss M. Williams, " What noise of joy was that ... recitative, Madame Viardot Garcia and Mr. Weiss, " Your hopes of his delivery. ..."

7. Musical Letters from Abroad: Including Detailed Accounts of the Birmingham by Lowell Mason (1854)
"1 recitative, Mr. Weiss and Miss M. Williams, " What noise of joy was that ... recitative, Madame Viardot Garcia and Mr. Weiss, " Your hopes of his delivery ..."

Other Resources:

Search for Recitative on Dictionary.com!Search for Recitative on Thesaurus.com!Search for Recitative on Google!Search for Recitative on Wikipedia!

Search