oratorio
noun
or·a·to·rio ˌȯr-ə-ˈtȯr-ē-ˌō 
ˌär-
plural oratorios
: a lengthy choral work usually of a religious nature consisting chiefly of recitatives, arias, and choruses without action or scenery
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The performance of Handel’s oratorio is free, but bring a nonperishable item for Second Harvest Food Bank. 
Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2022 Most important, with a video prologue and a coolly stylish set, the veteran director Claus Guth shaped the oratorio-like piece into a form approaching coherent narrative. New York Times, 12 July 2022 The former Beatle and his then-wife, Linda McCartney, hung out with Princess Diana before his 1992 oratorio, titled Liverpool, at the Lille Congress Hall. Katie Robinson, Town & Country, 27 June 2022 As staged by Patricia McGregor, the oratorio implied raw and rich street life. Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2022 This three-part fusion oratorio speaks with a fresh and bold voice, incorporating a variety of musical styles seamlessly woven into a unified whole pertaining to the event surrounding Matthew Shepard in 1998. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 29 May 2022 The collaboration behind this oratorio, often considered one of Bach’s greatest accomplishments, comes alive in the novel’s latter pages. Erin Douglass, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Apr. 2022 What’s haunting is how the oratorio form and Christian’s private cosmology elevate such banal statements to an almost sacred plane. New York Times, 30 Mar. 2022 As well as hymns, a motet and a sermon, the solemn vespers would include a gigantic two-part oratorio composed by the church’s Cantor—the director of music—with a text taken from St. Matthew’s gospel. Boyd Tonkin, WSJ, 14 Apr. 2022 See More
Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2022 Most important, with a video prologue and a coolly stylish set, the veteran director Claus Guth shaped the oratorio-like piece into a form approaching coherent narrative. New York Times, 12 July 2022 The former Beatle and his then-wife, Linda McCartney, hung out with Princess Diana before his 1992 oratorio, titled Liverpool, at the Lille Congress Hall. Katie Robinson, Town & Country, 27 June 2022 As staged by Patricia McGregor, the oratorio implied raw and rich street life. Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2022 This three-part fusion oratorio speaks with a fresh and bold voice, incorporating a variety of musical styles seamlessly woven into a unified whole pertaining to the event surrounding Matthew Shepard in 1998. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 29 May 2022 The collaboration behind this oratorio, often considered one of Bach’s greatest accomplishments, comes alive in the novel’s latter pages. Erin Douglass, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Apr. 2022 What’s haunting is how the oratorio form and Christian’s private cosmology elevate such banal statements to an almost sacred plane. New York Times, 30 Mar. 2022 As well as hymns, a motet and a sermon, the solemn vespers would include a gigantic two-part oratorio composed by the church’s Cantor—the director of music—with a text taken from St. Matthew’s gospel. Boyd Tonkin, WSJ, 14 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Italian, from the Oratorio di San Filippo Neri (Oratory of St. Philip Neri) in Rome
First Known Use
1724, in the meaning defined above
oratorio
noun
as in paean
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- paean
- hallelujah
- processional
- requiem
- chorale
- mass
- dirge
- threnody
- carol
- hymn
- recessional
- psalm
- anthem
- canticle
- spiritual
- Gloria Patri
- lament