Sprechchor

Sprechchor, literally “speaking chorus,” is a performance technique in which a group of performers delivers text in rhythmic speech rather than melodic singing. The lines are spoken in unison, with staggered entrances, or in call-and-response patterns. The delivery emphasizes rhythm, diction, and collective voice, producing a projected mass presence that comments on or intensifies onstage action without traditional singing.

Origins and context: Sprechchor emerged in early 20th‑century German theatre and is closely associated with Expressionist drama and later with Brechtian theatre. It was used to address audiences directly, convey social critique, and create a sense of crowds or public discourse on stage. The technique often employs a chorus or ensemble, sometimes drawn from the production’s performers, to produce a unified or antiphonal voice.

Technique and practice: The vocal quality is not pitched; performers focus on precise articulation, rhythm, and the psychological effect of a collective utterance. Text is usually drawn from the script, sometimes including slogans or rhetorical passages. In many works, the Sprechchor intersperses with sung passages or instrumental music, while in others it functions as the primary expressive medium. The form can be flexible, ranging from monotone declamation to varied tempo and dynamics to heighten dramatic impact.

Uses and influence: Sprechchor is used in theatre, opera, and contemporary installations to evoke crowd dynamics, public opinion, or social commentary. It remains a defining feature of German-language theatre history and has influenced modern theatre practices that employ spoken collective voices. It is distinct from Sprechstimme, which involves speech-like singing rather than plain speech.