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In its simplest explanation, an '''oratorio''' is an [[opera]] without action, costume and scenery.

In its simplest explanation, an '''oratorio''' is an [[opera]] without action, costume and scenery.

The word comes from the “''oratory''”, or prayer hall, in [[Rome]] in the mid 16th century in which there were musical evenings so as to attract people to the prayer meetings. The idea spread to other centres in Catholic Italy, and over the next century, north into other parts of Europe. By 1700 it was an accepted form of sacred music and in 1708 the [[protestant]] Saxon, G. F. [[Handel]], “studying” in Rome, wrote three oratorios there. The Catholic court in Vienna found it to be an acceptable substitute for opera during [[Lent]]

The word comes from the “''oratory''”, or prayer hall, in [[Rome]] in the mid 16th century in which there were musical evenings so as to attract people to the prayer meetings. The idea spread to other centres in Catholic Italy, and over the next century, north into other parts of Europe. By 1700 it was an accepted form of sacred music and in 1708 the [[protestant]] Saxon, G. F. [[Handel]], “studying” in Rome, wrote three oratorios there. The Catholic court in Vienna found it to be an acceptable substitute for opera during [[Lent]]

The oratorio became an accepted part of German musical life, and of Lutheran services, in the early 18th century; however its need generally became satisfied by the [[Cantata]] and [[Passion (music)|Passion]] as exemplified by the many still popular works in those genres by [[J.S.Bach]]. (Bach’s ''[[Christmas Oratorio]]'' is actually a collection of cantatas.) At about the same time Handel introduced the oratorio to England and it is there that it has had its greatest popularity. (Handel’s “''Messiah''” is perhaps the most enduringly popular major piece of classical music in the English speaking world.) He wrote over twenty for his English audiences, some still regularly performed and many with well known (e.g."''See the conqu'ring hero comes''" from "''Judas Maccabaeus''".)

The oratorio became an accepted part of German musical life, and of Lutheran services, in the early 18th century; however its need generally became satisfied by the [[Cantata]] and [[Passion (music)|Passion]] as exemplified by the many still popular works in those genres by [[Johann Sebastian Bach|J.S.Bach]]. (Bach’s ''[[Christmas Oratorio]]'' is actually a collection of cantatas.) At about the same time Handel introduced the oratorio to England and it is there that it has had its greatest popularity. (Handel’s “''Messiah''” is perhaps the most enduringly popular major piece of classical music in the English speaking world.) He wrote over twenty for his English audiences, some still regularly performed and many with well known (e.g."''See the conqu'ring hero comes''" from "''Judas Maccabaeus''".)

Since that time, the form has continued, with major contributions from major composers into the present era; some of which are listed:

Since that time, the form has continued, with major contributions from major composers into the present era; some of which are listed:

*[[Franz Liszt]] “''Christus''” (1862-7)

*[[Franz Liszt]] “''Christus''” (1862-7)

*[[Edward Elgar]] “''Dream of Gerontius''” (1900)

*[[Edward Elgar]] “''Dream of Gerontius''” (1900)

*[[Arnold Schoenberg]] “'Die Jakobsleiter''” (1917-22)

*[[Arnold Schoenberg]] “'Die Jakobsleiter''” (1917–22)

*[[Arthur Honneger]] "''Le roi David'” (1923)

*[[Arthur Honegger]] "''Le roi David'” (1923)

*[[William Walton]] “''Belshazzar’s Feast''” (1931)

*[[William Walton]] “''Belshazzar’s Feast''” (1931)

*[[Michael Tippett]] “''A Child of Our Time''” (1944)

*[[Michael Tippett]] “''A Child of Our Time''” (1941)

[[Category:Music]]

[[Category:Sacred Music]]