Modeled on oratory, recitative developed in the late 1500s in opposition to the polyphonic, or many-voiced, style of 16th-century choral music.

Who invented the recitative?

The first use of recitative in opera was preceded by the monodies of the Florentine Camerata in which Vincenzo Galilei, father of the astronomer Galileo Galilei, played an important role.

What is recitative in Baroque period?

A recitative, also known by the Italian name 'recitativo', acts as a dialogue and allows the characters to move the story onwards through a narrative. Recitatives are generally accompanied by solely the basso continuo which provides a sparser texture and are written in speech like rhythm.