Sticheron

DIMITRI CONOMOS

An appointed troparion inserted between, and providing poetic commentary on, psalm verses in the course of Byzantine Ves­pers and Matins. Stichera idiomela are sung to a unique melody; stichera automela function as melodic and metrical patterns for generating stichera with borrowed melodies (contrafacta) that are called prosomoia. In Byzantine manuscripts, sticheron melodies are generally syllabic; that is, they have one or two notes per syllable, although short melismas may occur on accented syllables or on words or phrases requiring special emphasis. Stichera for major feasts also may have more exten­sive ornamentation. Cadences are marked by recurring melodic formulae.

SEE ALSO: Idiomelon; Troparion