oratorio
Unstaged choral epic
An oratorio is a large-scale musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists, typically telling a sacred story without staging, costumes, or acting.
Unlike opera, oratorio is performed in concert form.
Handel's *Messiah* is the most famous example.
The form flourished in the Baroque era but composers still write oratorios today.
Singers performing together
- choirOrganized group of singers
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- sopranoHighest female voice range
- altoLower female voice
tenor · bass · counterpoint · polyphony · harmony · cantata · fugue · chorale
Operatic solo piece
- recitativeSpeechlike operatic singing
- librettoOpera's written words
- soloistUnaccompanied performer
- overtureIntroductory orchestral piece
interlude · baritone · mezzo-soprano · contralto · narrator · performance · theatricality · staging
chorus
Singers performing together
alto · tenor · bass · counterpoint · polyphony · harmony · cantata · fugue · chorale · anthem
aria
Operatic solo piece
- recitativeSpeechlike operatic singing
- librettoOpera's written words
- soloistUnaccompanied performer
overture · interlude · baritone · mezzo-soprano · contralto · narrator · performance · theatricality · staging · concert
biblical
Of sacred texts
worship · liturgy · hymn · gospel · prayer · sermon · theology · faith · salvation · redemption
storytelling
Recounting events aloud
- epicImpressively grand in scope
- allegorySymbolic tale with deeper meaning
- parableInstructive allegorical narrative
chronicle · testament · exodus · creation · paradise · prophecy · revelation · martyrdom · miracle · judgment
- art formspainting, drawing, sculpture, photography, music
- musicmusic, song, songs, singing, singer
- classical musicBach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms
- choir termssoprano, alto, tenor, bass, baritone
- compositionssymphony, concerto, sonata, suite, overture
- music typesaria, ballad, concerto, symphony, sonata
oratorioopera
Theatrical art combining song
grand opera · musical theater · ballet · masque · Gesamtkunstwerk
oratoriocomic opera
Humorous sung theatrical work
vaudeville · cabaret · music hall · burlesque · revue
- famous oratorsAcclaimed public speakers
- epideictic oratoryRhetoric of praise/blame
- oratory skillsAbility to speak persuasively
- political oratoryPublic persuasion by officials
- public oratorsThose who speak publicly
oratory, orator, oratorical, orators, oratorios, oratorically