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oratorio definition

ora·to·rio (ôr′ə tôr′ē ō′, är′-)

noun pl. oratorios -·os′

a long, dramatic musical composition, usually on a religious theme, consisting of arias, recitatives, choruses, etc. sung to orchestral accompaniment but without stage action, scenery, or costumes

Etymology: It, lit., small chapel (< LL(Ec) oratorium: see oratory, sense ): from the performance of such compositions at the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri in Rome

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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