The origins of speech choir can be traced back to ancient Greece, where choral speaking was a prominent feature of religious ceremonies, theatrical performances, and public gatherings. In the 5th century BC, the Greek poet and playwright Aeschylus introduced a form of speech choir known as the "chorus" into his plays, which served to comment on the action and provide emotional depth.
During the Middle Ages, speech choir was used in religious ceremonies and liturgical dramas in Europe. In the Renaissance, it was revived as a form of artistic expression, particularly in Italy, where it was known as "madrigals." These polyphonic choral works combined music and poetry, often with dramatic gestures and movement.
In the 19th century, speech choir experienced a resurgence of interest in Europe and the United States. Notable figures in the development of modern speech choir include the French poet and playwright Paul Claudel, the Russian poet and actor Vsevolod Meyerhold, and the American poet and educator Edith Sitwell.
Claudel's "Partage de Midi" (1906) was one of the first plays to extensively incorporate speech choir, demonstrating its potential for dramatic and poetic expression. Meyerhold developed biomechanics, a system of physical training for actors that emphasized the use of voice and movement in theatrical performances.
Sitwell, along with her brothers Osbert and Sacheverell, popularized speech choir in England through their poetry readings and performances. They combined rhythmic speech, sound effects, and innovative staging techniques to create multisensory experiences for their audiences.
In the 20th century, speech choir became a vital form of artistic expression in various countries worldwide, including the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Japan. It was used as a tool for political activism, social change, and artistic experimentation, particularly during the Civil Rights Movement and the countercultural movements of the 1960s.
Today, speech choir continues to be practiced and performed in diverse contexts, ranging from educational settings and community theater groups to professional performing arts companies. It remains a powerful medium for conveying poetic and political messages, fostering social cohesion, and promoting artistic creativity.