stile rappresentativo

noun

sti·​le rap·​pre·​sen·​ta·​ti·​vo ˈstē-lā-ˌrä-prā-ˌsen-tä-ˈtē-vō 

: an early style of Italian recitative (see recitative entry 2 sense 1) used in dramatic vocal works of the early 17th century

The pure stile rappresentativo, the musical style established by the Florentine reformers, and the one in which the first lyric dramas were written, was, however, exceedingly short-lived.

—Scribner's Magazine, April 1890

called also stile recitativo

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

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