recitative

n. style of vocal music between singing and speaking; musical piece composed in this style

adj. pertaining to recitation, pertaining to public speaking, of declamation

Recitative /rɛsɪtə'ti:v/ (also known by its Italian name "recitativo" (/retʃita'ti:vo/) is a style of delivery (much used in operas, oratorios, and cantatas) in which a singer is allowed to adopt the rhythms of ordinary speech. The mostly syllabic recitativo secco ("dry", accompanied only by continuo) is at one end of a spectrum through recitativo accompagnato (using orchestra), the more melismatic arioso, and finally the full blown  aria or ensemble, where the pulse is entirely governed by the music. Recitative is also occasionally used in musicals, such as Carousel and especially, Of Thee I Sing.
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Noun
1. a vocal passage of narrative text that a singer delivers with natural rhythms of speech
(hypernym) passage, musical passage
(hyponym) arioso

adj. recitative, pertaining to recitation

adj. recitative, pertaining to recitation