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{{Short description|Vocal solo between  recitative and aria in style}}
{{refimprove|date=May 2015}}
In [[classical music]], '''arioso''' ({{IPA|it|aˈrjoːzo|}}; also '''aria parlante'''<ref>[[George Grove]], ''[[A Dictionary of Music and Musicians]]'', "[[:s:A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Aria Parlante|Aria Parlante]]"</ref> {{IPA|it|ˈaːrja parˈlante|}}) is a category of [[Solo (music)|solo]] vocal piece, usually occurring in an [[opera]] or [[oratorio]], falling somewhere between [[recitative]] and [[aria]] in style. Literally, arioso means ''airy''. The term arose in the 16th century along with the aforementioned styles and [[monody]]. It is commonly confused with [[Recitative|recitativo accompagnato]].
Arioso is similar to recitative due to its unrestrained structure and inflexions, close to those of speech. It differs, however, in its [[rhythm]]. Arioso is similar to aria in its melodic form, both being closer to singing than recitative; however, they differ in [[Musical form|form]], arioso generally not resorting to the process of repetition.
==Well-known examples==
At the start of the finale in the first act of [[Mozart]]'s ''[[The Magic Flute]]'', the andante of the priest (''Sprecher'') "''Sobald dich führt der Freundschaft Hand ins Heiligtum zum ew'gen Band''" is an example of arioso. "''Amor ti vieta''", sung by Loris at [[Umberto Giordano|Giordano]]'s ''[[Fedora (opera)|Fedora]]'' could be a modern arioso example.
In 1927, Sir [[Thomas Beecham]] referred to [[Frederick Delius]]'s ''[[Sea Drift (Delius)|Sea Drift]]'' as 'the finest example in all music of the ''Arioso recitativo''.'<ref>T. Beecham, 'Delius, the Neglected Genius', (''[[Evening Standard]]'', 13 Jan. 1927), in C. Redwood (Ed.), ''A Delius Companion'' (John Calder, London 1976), pp. 65-68, at p. 68.</ref>
==Instrumental arioso==
Though originally a vocal form, the term ''arioso'' was extended to instrumental compositions of the same melodic character, the same way the terms ''aria'' and ''recitative'' were used in the case of the [[Aria#Instrumental music|instrumental aria]] and [[Recitative#Instrumental recitative|instrumental recitative]].
One of the most famous instrumental ariosos was composed by [[Johann Sebastian Bach]], and serves as the [[sinfonia]] of his [[cantata]], [[Ich steh mit einem Fuß im Grabe, BWV 156|''Ich steh mit einem Fuß im Grabe'', BWV 156]], as well as the middle movement of the [[Keyboard concertos by Johann Sebastian Bach#Concerto V in F minor, BWV 1056|Harpsichord Concerto, BWV 1056]].
==See also==
*{{annotated link|Cantata}}
*{{annotated link|Oratorio}}
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2Oe3nkQji8 Bach's Arioso] played by cellist [[Julian Lloyd Webber]]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF1sgs3OxnA Betrachte, mein Seel'] – arioso from [[Bach]]'s [[St John Passion]] sung by baritone Derek Welton
{{Opera terms}}
[[Category:16th-century music genres]]
[[Category:Italian opera terminology]]
[[Category:Singing]]