Patter song

A patter song is a special kind of song known for its fast speed and quick rhythm. Each word in the song matches a single note, making it sound very lively and fun. This type of song is often used in funny operas, especially those by Gilbert and Sullivan, but it can also appear in musical theater and other performances.

The words in a patter song are usually hard to say quickly, with lots of rhyming and sounds that repeat. This makes the song fun to listen to, especially when sung fast. The music for these songs is simple, so that the words can be heard clearly. Patter songs are often performed by funny characters and require the singer to speak very clearly while moving at a quick pace.

History

Etymology

The word "patter" comes from the Pater Noster, or Lord's Prayer. Catholics recited this prayer in Latin, and they often rushed through the words quickly. This habit gave rise to the term "patter" in England.

Origins

A type of fast patter appeared in ancient Greek comedies. In the 1500s, a French composer wrote a song in a quick, syllabic style. Rapid patter became part of Italian opera during the baroque era, especially in funny operas. Early examples include a duet from a 1702 opera by Alessandro Scarlatti. In the 1700s, composers like Pergolesi and Mozart used patter in their comic operas.

In the 1800s, patter was common in operas by Rossini and Donizetti. Well-known examples include Figaro's fast song in Rossini's The Barber of Seville and parts of Donizetti's La Cenerentola.

Gilbert and Sullivan

W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan wrote many funny operas together. Sullivan used patter in his first comic opera, Cox and Box. Some famous patter songs from their works include Major-General Stanley's song in The Pirates of Penzance, the Lord Chancellor's song in Iolanthe, and the Colonel's song in Patience. These songs are known for their fast, tongue-twisting lyrics.

Later

Patter songs continued to be used in later musical theatre. Examples include songs from early 1900s operettas and musicals like The Music Man.