Recitative
Recitative is a style of singing in opera that mimics the natural flow of speech. It's like musical talking, where singers deliver lines in a way that sounds closer to speaking than full melodic singing. This technique is crucial in operas for moving the story forward, similar to dialogue in regular theater. When reviewing resumes in opera production, you'll often see this term because it's a fundamental skill for opera singers and important for directors and conductors to understand. Think of it as the bridge between spoken dialogue and full operatic singing - it's how characters in operas have conversations or explain what's happening in the story.
Examples in Resumes
Coached singers in Recitative technique for Mozart operas
Performed principal roles requiring extensive Recitative passages in baroque operas
Directed staging for Recitative sections in contemporary opera productions
Typical job title: "Opera Singers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Opera Singers
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you approach teaching recitative to young singers?
Expected Answer: A senior professional should discuss methods for helping singers understand the natural speech rhythms, text interpretation, and dramatic delivery while maintaining musical accuracy.
Q: How do you handle differences between accompanied and unaccompanied recitative in production?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of different conducting and rehearsal techniques, coordination between singers and orchestra, and dramatic pacing considerations.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are the key differences between recitative in baroque and classical period operas?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the stylistic differences, accompaniment practices, and performance traditions between different historical periods.
Q: How do you balance dramatic timing with musical requirements in recitative?
Expected Answer: Should discuss practical approaches to maintaining dramatic flow while respecting musical structure and conductor coordination.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is the basic purpose of recitative in opera?
Expected Answer: Should explain how recitative moves the story forward and differs from arias, with basic understanding of its role in opera structure.
Q: Can you explain the difference between recitative and aria?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding that recitative is speech-like storytelling while arias are more melodic and emotional expressions.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of recitative performance
- Ability to follow conductor in recitative passages
- Knowledge of common opera terminology
- Basic language skills (Italian, German, French)
Mid (2-5 years)
- Confident performance of both accompanied and unaccompanied recitative
- Strong language and diction skills
- Ability to coach others in basic recitative technique
- Understanding of different historical styles
Senior (5+ years)
- Master-level recitative performance and teaching
- Advanced dramatic interpretation skills
- Ability to direct recitative scenes
- Expert knowledge of historical performance practices
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of basic opera structure
- Inability to read music
- Poor language skills in main opera languages
- Lack of experience with live performance
Related Terms
Need more hiring wisdom? Check these out...
Speak Up! How Voice Search Is Changing Job Listings and What HR Needs to Do About It
Refining Job Descriptions to Expand Applicant Pools: Casting a Wider Talent Net
Ghosted Again? How to Stop Candidates from Disappearing and Start Engaging Them Better
