Narrativo

ItalianExpressionPrinted in scores

In a narrating manner.

As Printed on a Score

Printed above the vocal line as part of a heading (Narrativo, non strascinando) or at a narrative passage; it lasts until a new character word.

How Composers Use It

Narrativo asks for a storytelling delivery: clear words, natural speech rhythm, enough reserve to let the tale speak for itself, and no dragging. It suits ballads, narrative songs and the narrator’s passages in larger works. Pair it with a tempo word, as Cornelius does with non strascinando.

Example

Cornelius, “Simeon”, Weihnachtslieder, Op. 8, voice, heading: “Narrativo, non strascinando”, printed beside the German “Erzählend, nicht schleppend”.

Narrativo is one of 1755 terms in the Gradus musical dictionary: the words, abbreviations and instrument names that appear in printed scores, plus the vocabulary composers use to talk about them.

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