Recitative is a special kind of vocal delivery that stands midway between ordinary speech and song. It reproduces the natural inflections, rhythm, and accents of spoken language, and so serves primarily to convey the text, dialogue, and development of the action.
In opera, recitative does the “plot” work — it connects the extended arias, ensembles, and choruses, moving the narrative forward. A distinction is made between secco (dry) recitative with a spare harpsichord accompaniment and accompagnato — recitative with a developed orchestral accompaniment, more dramatic and expressive. Recitative was born together with opera around 1600 precisely as an attempt to “bring to life” ancient drama through sung speech. It is a fundamental element of musical theatre, in which word and music merge most closely.
