Accompagnata

Accompagnata is an Italian term meaning “accompanied.” It is the feminine past participle form of the verb accompagnare and, in general Italian usage, describes something that is accompanied by someone or something else. For example, una cantante accompagnata dal pianoforte would mean a singer accompanied by the piano.

In music, accompagnata is used to indicate that a vocal line or instrumental part is supported by other instruments. It is commonly seen in phrases such as aria accompagnata or canzone accompagnata, signaling that the piece involves instrumental accompaniment, as opposed to a mostly dry or minimal accompaniment often described as aria secca or recitativo secco. The designation is found in Baroque and Classical repertoires and helps differentiate performance practices where the texture includes concerted or orchestral forces versus more stripped-down formats.

Etymology and usage: the term derives from the Italian verb accompagnare, meaning to accompany. The feminine form accompagnata is used to describe a feminine noun phrase, for example canzone accompagnata, aria accompagnata, or a description of a performance style.

In modern practice, the idea behind accompagnata extends beyond vocal music to any work where an instrumental ensemble provides the accompanying texture. The term also aligns with broader Italian musical terminology that distinguishes accompanied forms from those with little or no instrumental support.

See also: accompaniment, accompagnatore, aria accompagnata, aria secca.