recitative

noun rec·i·ta·tive \ ˌre-sə-tə-ˈtēv , ˌre-stə- \

|Updated on: 3 Jun 2018

Examples: recitative in a Sentence

Definition of recitative

1 : a rhythmically free vocal style that imitates the natural inflections of speech and that is used for dialogue and narrative in operas and oratorios; also : a passage to be delivered in this style

2 : recitation 2

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recitative

adjective

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Examples of recitative in a Sentence

the second recitative of Act II
The opera made use of recitative.

Recent Examples of recitative from the Web

Soprano Golda Schultz was frankly perfect in her recitatives and arias.

— special to the plain dealer, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Orchestra pulls off a save after illness strikes singers in Haydn's 'The Seasons' (review)," 19 Jan. 2018
Addressing the crowd in Norma’s first lines of dramatic recitative, Monastyrska got off to a rough start, her tone turning harsh at the top of her range and not ideally centered on pitch.

— eric skelly, Houston Chronicle, "Review: HGO’s ‘Norma’ is grand, but lead can’t ‘Let It Go’," 1 May 2018
Abreu brings off the suicidal artist’s 30-minute succession of arias and accompanied recitatives most skillfully, while Mortellaro makes a most alluring love-object.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago Opera Theater brings flair to comic, serious Donizetti one-acters," 15 Apr. 2018
Out of five arias and four recitatives, Forsythe and a vivacious orchestra under Jeannette Sorrell crafted so many individual scenes, each with its own character and mood.

— zachary lewis, cleveland.com, "Apollo's Fire emerges victorious from 'Three Duels and a Wedding' (review)," 12 Feb. 2018
Here, with help from the pop/rock orchestration of music director Ben Kapilow, brief speech slides gracefully into recitative, then bursts into song as the passion of the speaker rises.

— hugh hunter, Philly.com, "'Next to Normal' at Media Theatre: Authentic, stunning, unhappy, yet happy to be alive," 4 Feb. 2018
The conducting was brisk and buoyant, the recitatives clear and expressive.

— heidi waleson, WSJ, "‘Don Giovanni’ Review: Lurid Desire in a Pure Musical Vision," 21 Aug. 2017
Monteverdi, though, was careful to avoid long stretches of uninterrupted recitative.

— anthony tommasini, New York Times, "Review: An Inspiring End to a 6-Month Tour of Monteverdi’s Operas," 22 Oct. 2017
These collective manipulations lend a creepy element to the recitatives, which were otherwise performed as Handel wrote them.

— anthony tommasini, New York Times, "Review: A Baroque Opera Muddies Lines Between Him and Her," 14 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'recitative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.