The New International Encyclopædia/Declamation

​DECLAMATION (Fr. déclamation, Lat. declamatio, declamation, from declamare, to declaim, from de, down + clamare, to shout). The art of speaking according to rules, whereby the sense of the words, as well as the feeling and sentiment, is naturally and characteristically represented. Recitation, therefore, whether spoken or sung, is subject to the laws of declamation, from which it derives its value and significance. Perfect declamation implies correctness of speech, distinctness and clearness of enunciation, and a well-toned voice. Declamation is therefore clearly of a musical nature. Declamation in music, however, differs from the declamation of speaking in that the singer must adhere to what the composer has written. The composer fixes the whole of the intonation, modulation, and phrasing, and also the tempi and expression, and not infrequently sacrifices the correctness of the declamation to the charm of some peculiar melodic phrase or pleasing rhythm, or a vocal musical embellishment. The truth and beauty of correct musical declamation are always endangered by a translation of the original words into another language, a work which, with the greatest care and ability, it is in many cases almost impossible to accomplish word for word, or syllable for syllable, so as to fit accurately to the accent of the music. The master-works of many great composers thus suffer much from careless translation. In earlier times attempts were made to establish declamation as a science. The ancients had a kind of note, or sign of intonation, which they placed over or under the words, possibly to decide whether the accent should be given by a high or by a low tone, and thus to regulate the modulation of the voice. That the theatrical declamation of the ancients resembled the musical recitative of the present day is generally admitted.