Definitions for oratorio
ˌɔr əˈtɔr iˌoʊ, -ˈtoʊr-, ˌɒr-or·a·to·ri·o

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. cantata, oratorionoun

   a musical composition for voices and orchestra based on a religious text

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. oratorionoun

   A musical composition on a religious theme; similar to opera but with no costume, scenery or acting.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Oratorio

   An oratorio (Italian pronunciation: [oraˈtɔːrjo]) is a large musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists. Like most operas, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an instrumental ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias. However, opera is musical theatre, while oratorio is strictly a concert piece – though oratorios are sometimes staged as operas, and operas are sometimes presented in concert form. In an oratorio, the choir often plays a central role, and there is generally little or no interaction between the characters, and no props or elaborate costumes. A particularly important difference is in the typical subject matter of the text. Opera tends to deal with history and mythology, including age-old devices of romance, deception, and murder, whereas the plot of an oratorio often deals with sacred topics, making it appropriate for performance in the church. Protestant composers took their stories from the Bible, while Catholic composers looked to the lives of saints, as well as to Biblical topics. Oratorios became extremely popular in early 17th-century Italy partly because of the success of opera and the Catholic Church's prohibition of spectacles during Lent. Oratorios became the main choice of music during that period for opera audiences.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. oratorio

   An oratorio is a large-scale musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists. It is similar to an opera, but without the elements of theater such as costumes, sets, and acting. Instead, it is a concert piece that is usually based on a religious or biblical theme. Oratorios typically include recitatives, arias, duets, trios, and choruses.

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Oratorio

   An oratorio is a large musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists. Like an opera, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias. However, opera is musical theatre, while oratorio is strictly a concert piece—though oratorios are sometimes staged as operas, and operas are sometimes presented in concert form. In an oratorio there is generally little or no interaction between the characters, and no props or elaborate costumes. A particularly important difference is in the typical subject matter of the text. Opera tends to deal with history and mythology, including age-old devices of romance, deception, and murder, whereas the plot of an oratorio often deals with sacred topics, making it appropriate for performance in the church. Protestant composers took their stories from the Bible, while Catholic composers looked to the lives of saints. Oratorios became extremely popular in early 17th-century Italy partly because of the success of opera and the Catholic Church's prohibition of spectacles during Lent. Oratorios became the main choice of music during that period for opera audiences.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Oratorio

   or-a-tō′ri-ō, n. a sacred story set to music, which, as in the opera, requires soloists, chorus, and full orchestra for its performance, the theatrical adjuncts, however, of scenery, costumes, and acting bring dispensed with. [It., so called because first performed in the Oratory of the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, near Rome, under the care of St Philip Neri (1571-94).]

The Nuttall EncyclopediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Oratorio

   a musical composition on a sacred theme, dramatic in form and associated with orchestral accompaniments, but without scenic accessories; it derives its name from the oratory of St. Philip Neri at Rome, in which a composition of the kind was first performed, and was a musical development of the miracle plays (q. v.).

Etymology and OriginsRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Oratorio

   A term derived from the fact that the first sacred musical dramas or cantatas were performed in the Church of the Oratorians, which religious Order was founded by St Philip Nero at Rome in 1540.

Matched Categories

1. • Classical Music

How to pronounce oratorio?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say oratorio in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of oratorio in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of oratorio in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=oratorio
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Oratorio
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oratorio
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=oratorio
6. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=oratorio
7. ^ The Nuttall Encyclopedia
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/12342/pg12342-images.html#Oratorio
8. ^ Etymology and Origins
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/54657/pg54657-images.html#:~:text=oratorio