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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
Opera, Art Forms

Works In This Form

Messiah (Handel), Works
Source Wikipedia
Sources
1. Wikipedia
Wikimedia Foundation
  • 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, 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 summary, signature-technique
    there is generally minimal staging, with the chorus often assuming a more central dramatic role
  • Oratorio, Wikipedia, notable-example
    George Frideric Handel, most famous today for his Messiah (1741)
  • In Category: Art Forms, Oratorio, Wikipedia summary, in-category
  • 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
  • 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.
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