节奏自由的旋律——谈歌剧宣叙调的发展

Rubato melody:The development of recitative in opera

歌剧的发展是漫长而复杂的，其中宣叙性段落的发展更是复杂而多变的，依据最早的歌剧《达芙尼》中的记载，其音乐风格和创作手法都是新颖的，与当时其他的音乐形式相比，旋律紧紧结合歌词，但也不同于歌唱性的旋律，实际上是节奏自由的宣叙调。

Recitative,much used in opera, oratorio,and cantata,is a style of delivery in which a singer gives recitations with simple accompaniment in a free tempo,and is allowed to adopt the rhythms of ordinary speech.The recitative has a long history and often acts as an'introduction'to an aria.Its appear- ance can be traced back almost to the origin of opera.Several composers have contributed to the development of recitative:Monteverdi emphasized the recitative's dramatic effects; Alessandro Scarlatti's affirmation and attention to recitative provided the basis for its later de- velopment;Gluck increased the musicality of recitative,enhancing its function in opera;Ros- sini made flexible use of recitative in his works, while Verdi and Wagner made extensive use of it in their operas,stressing dramatic continuity.