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Inclassical music,arioso ([aˈrjoːzo]; alsoaria parlante[1][ˈaːrjaparˈlante]) is a category ofsolo vocal piece, usually occurring in anopera ororatorio, falling somewhere betweenrecitative andaria in style. Literally, arioso meansairy. The term arose in the 16th century along with the aforementioned styles andmonody. It is commonly confused withrecitativo accompagnato.
Arioso is similar to recitative due to its unrestrained structure and inflexions, close to those of speech. It differs, however, in itsrhythm. Arioso is similar to aria in its melodic form, both being closer to singing than recitative; however, they differ inform, arioso generally not resorting to the process of repetition.
At the start of the finale in the first act ofMozart'sThe 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 atGiordano'sFedora could be a modern arioso example.
In 1927, SirThomas Beecham referred toFrederick Delius'sSea Drift as 'the finest example in all music of theArioso recitativo.'[2]
Though originally a vocal form, the termarioso was extended to instrumental compositions of the same melodic character, the same way the termsaria andrecitative were used in the case of theinstrumental aria andinstrumental recitative.
One of the most famous instrumental ariosos was composed byJohann Sebastian Bach, and serves as thesinfonia of hiscantata,Ich steh mit einem Fuß im Grabe, BWV 156, as well as the middle movement of theHarpsichord Concerto, BWV 1056.