a musical composition for voices and orchestra Mendelssohn had no sooner completed his first oratorio, "St. Paul," than he began to think about setting another Bible story to music. — Edward [..]

"long musical composition, usually with a text based on Scripture," 1727 (in English from 1640s in native form oratory), from Italian oratorio (late 16c.), from Church Latin oratorium (see o [..]

An extended cantata on a sacred subject.

n. A composition for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra, generally taken from the scriptures.

Large scale dramatic composition originating in the 17th century with text ususally based on religious subjects. Oratorios are performed by choruses and solo voices with an instrumental accompaniment, [..]

  An oratorio is a large musical work, generally based on a sacred text or religious topic, with soloists, chorus and orchestra. Although many musical elements of an oratorio are similar to opera, no [..]

(n) a musical composition for voices and orchestra based on a religious text

a nonliturgical, nontheatrical sacred work for soloists, chores and orchestra, something like an opera but performed without action, costumes or scenery.

religious opera without stage action or costumes.

Vocal soloists and chorus join the orchestra to tell a story in music, but without the staging and costumes of an opera.

Composition of an extended libretto by solo voices, chorus or orchestra. It is usually a musical narration of a Biblical story. The presence of a narrator standing outside the action is an obvious dis [..]

Originally, a setting of an extended religious narrative (and since c1800, nonreligious ones as well) for vocal soloists, chorus and orchestra, intended for concert or church performance without costu [..]

originally setting of an extended religious narrative (and since ca. 1800, non-religious ones as well) for vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra, intended for concert or church performance without costumes or stage settings. ostinato:

an unstaged drama or narrative of Biblical events composed for voices (alternating aria, narrator, recitative, full chorus, etc.) and accompanied by instruments.

(English) A musical entertainment usually on a sacred subject and including recitatives, arias, choruses, and an overture.

An oratorio tells a story (often a religious one) in music. An example being the Handels Messiah.

An Oratorio is an extended musical setting of a sacred text made up of dramatic, narrative and contemplative elements.

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