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Art Form

Oratorio

Musical Forms

An oratorio is a musical composition with dramatic or narrative text for choir, soloists and orchestra or other ensemble.

Facts
Medium
Choir, vocal soloists and orchestra or other instrumental ensemble performing a dramatic or narrative text. 1
Signature Technique
Minimal staging compared to opera, with the chorus often taking a central dramatic role and the work typically presented as a concert piece. 1
Place of Origin
Rome, Italy; the oratorio was named for the musical services held in the Oratory church in Rome in the latter half of the sixteenth century. 1
Notable Example
George Frideric Handel, most famous today for his Messiah (1741), composed some of the best known works in the genre. 1
Connections

Associated With

Baroque, Movements
Opera, Art Forms
Source Wikipedia
Additional Source Oratorio (Wikipedia)Oratorio, lead section, comparison to opera
Opera, Art Forms

Works In This Form

Messiah (Handel), Works
Source Wikipedia
Additional Source Messiah (Handel) (Wikipedia)Messiah (Handel), Wikipedia summary lead, in-form (rewire)
The Creation (Haydn), Works
Source The Creation (Haydn) (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases

Originated In

Italy

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.

Source Wikipediatier 2
Sources
1. Wikipedia
Wikimedia Foundation
Oratorio (Wikipedia)
  • Oratorio, Wikipedia summary lead
    is a musical composition with dramatic or narrative text for choir, soloists and orchestra or other ensemble
  • Oratorio, Wikipedia summary lead, medium
    is a musical composition with dramatic or narrative text for choir, soloists and orchestra or other ensemble
  • Oratorio, Wikipedia summary, signature-technique
    there is generally minimal staging, with the chorus often assuming a more central dramatic role
  • Oratorio, Wikipedia, History section, origin-place
    The musical composition was named for the musical services held in the Oratory church in Rome in the latter half of the 16th century.
  • Oratorio, Wikipedia, notable-example
    George Frideric Handel, most famous today for his Messiah (1741)
  • Associated With: Opera, Oratorio, lead section, comparison to opera
    Similar to opera, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an instrumental ensemble, various distinguishable characters (e.g. soloists), and arias.
  • In Category: Art Forms, Oratorio, Wikipedia summary, in-category
View the Source
The Creation (Haydn) (Wikipedia)
WikipediaWorks In This Form: The Creation (Haydn), lead paragraph
Quote, Works In This Form: The Creation (Haydn), lead paragraph
The Creation (German: Die Schöpfung) is an oratorio written in 1797 and 1798 by Joseph Haydn (Hob. XXI:2), and considered by many to be his masterpiece. The oratorio depicts and celebrates the creation of the world as narrated in
View the Source
Messiah (Handel) (Wikipedia)
Works In This Form: Messiah (Handel), Messiah (Handel), Wikipedia summary lead, in-form (rewire)
Quote, Works In This Form: Messiah (Handel), Messiah (Handel), Wikipedia summary lead, in-form (rewire)
is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel
View the Source

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