secco

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a nountechnicalmusic

   In music, describes a style of recitative accompanied only by a keyboard instrument playing occasional chords, with no orchestra.

   Grammar: Used before a noun, as in 'secco recitative'; it is not usually placed after the verb.

   Patterns

   • secco recitative
   • a secco passage

   The aria was preceded by a short secco recitative for voice and harpsichord.

   In this recording the secco passages sound dry and speech-like, exactly as the composer intended.

   Singers must keep the rhythm flexible when performing secco recitative.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nountechnical

   In painting, describes a method of applying pigment onto dry plaster rather than onto wet plaster.

   Grammar: Appears mainly in the fixed phrase 'fresco secco'; it describes the technique, not the picture.

   Patterns

   • fresco secco
   • secco painting

   The wall was decorated in fresco secco, so the colors have faded more than the earlier work.

   Unlike true fresco, fresco secco allows the artist to correct mistakes after the plaster dries.

3. 3adjectivebefore a nountechnical

   Describes a dry style of wine, especially Italian wine, with little or no sweetness.

   Grammar: Mainly used of Italian wines and often printed on labels; it is not a general everyday word for dry drinks.

   Patterns

   • secco wine
   • a secco white

   The label said 'secco', which told us the wine would be dry rather than sweet.

   He prefers a secco prosecco to the sweeter styles on the list.

Common combinations

recitative secco

The opera opens with a long recitative secco for the narrator.

secco recitative

Her teacher explained how a secco recitative differs from one with orchestral accompaniment.

fresco secco

The restorers found that part of the ceiling had been painted in fresco secco.

secco style

The secco style of accompaniment leaves the singer very exposed.

a secco wine

They ordered a secco wine to go with the seafood.

Synonyms and how they differ

dry

The everyday English word for wine without sweetness; 'secco' is the Italian term used by specialists and on labels.

unaccompanied

Describes music with no instrumental backing, but it does not capture the keyboard chords that a secco recitative still has.

Opposites

Word family

seccamente adverb

An Italian musical direction meaning 'dryly', used as a playing instruction.

Commonly confused: secco or sec? secco or seco?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “secco”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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