Lea Salonga

In the modern operas that 'Miss Saigon' and 'Les Miz' are, nobody breaks out into song from conventional book dialogue. Everything is sung from beginning to end, including the recitative.

Filipino Actress

Dennis DeYoung

If you are going to take me a to a musical, you'd better give me three songs that I'm gonna like. Nobody goes to the opera for the recitative. They go for the aria.

American Musician

Recitative is often used to advance the opera’s storyline, resembling spoken dialogue more than song.

Operatic Dialogue

Recitatives provide a contrast to arias in operas, offering a break from highly melodic sections.

Musical Contrast

Recitative singing is usually supported by simple chordal accompaniment, not elaborate music.

Backdrop Harmony

When music is described as ‘recitative,’ it often means it has a conversational feel, like speech.

Speech-like Music

The adjective 'recitative' can apply to any music that mimics speech, not just opera.

Beyond Opera

Recitative style can be used to evoke dramatic narrative without relying on melody or rhythm.