What is a recitative?

Recitative is found in oratorios and operas from the Baroque period onwards. Typically, it involves a predominantly syllabic setting of a text to a homophonic accompaniment; it is used for dialogue, narration, plot exposition, and to introduce arias and sometimes choruses in the Baroque period. The text is the sole structural element and takes precedence over any structural design, meaning that the harmonic language is only used to convey specific moods and highlight important words.

In the Baroque period, there are two main forms of recitative: ‘recitativo secco’ and ‘recitativo accompagnato’. ‘Secco’ is rhythmically free, and sung without a sense of meter or pulse. It is typically accompanied only by a continuo which follows the soloist. ‘Accompagnato’ is often an accompaniment by both strings and continuo; the larger number of players means that the vocal line has to be metered so that the instruments play in time together. Although recitatives only use each set of words once, they are just as important as choruses and arias; this is demonstrated, for example, in the way Handel writes such dramatic recitatives, or the way Bach uses the same signature combination for different figures.