What does secco mean in music?

In music, "secco" refers to a style of recitative in which the accompaniment is reduced to simple chords, without any elaborate melodic figuration. It is commonly used in Baroque opera and oratorio, and is often contrasted with the more florid style of accompanied recitative, known as "stromentato" or "accompagnato".

Secco recitative typically consists of a single voice line, accompanied by a continuo, which comprises of a keyboard instrument (such as a harpsichord or organ) and a bass instrument (such as a cello or bassoon). The keyboard instrument provides the harmonic foundation, while the bass instrument reinforces the melodic line.

Secco recitative is used to convey dialogue, narrative, or exposition in an opera or oratorio. It allows for a more rapid delivery of text compared to accompanied recitative, and thus helps to advance the plot or provide necessary information. Due to its simplicity, secco recitative also allows greater flexibility in the interpretation and delivery of the text by the singer.

The use of secco recitative was particularly prominent during the late Baroque period in the works of Italian composers such as Alessandro Scarlatti, Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, and George Frideric Handel. Today, secco recitative continues to be employed in various forms of operatic and choral music, often in combination with other recitative styles.