The action in the oratorios was usually depicted with the help of a narrator, in a series of recitatives and arias, ensemble numbers such as duets and trios, and choruses.
Source: The Enjoyment of Music 10th Edition
An oratorio is a large vocal and instrumental dramatic work based on a sacred subject. The main difference between an oratorio and an opera is that an oratorio has no staging or costumes.
The most popular oratorio is Handel's Messiah.
oratorio
Handel's Messiah is an Oratorio, which is basically an opera without a stage. The Messiah is one of the few of Handel's Oratorio's without characters, which leads to the confusion expressed by many people (including yourself). The oratorio itself has a colorful place in music history; Handel's turning to the genre occured after the British public lost taste for his operas.
Paul McCartney's Liverpool Oratorio was created on 1991-06-29.
The cast of Oratorio for Prague - 1968 includes: Gene Moskowitz as Narrator
The oratorio, Messiah, by Handel/
Occasional Oratorio was created in 1746.
Abimelech - oratorio - was created in 1768.
Christmas Oratorio was created in 1734.
An oratorio is a large vocal and instrumental dramatic work based on a sacred subject. The main difference between an oratorio and an opera is that an oratorio has no staging or costumes.
An oratorio can be both secular and religious.
The most popular oratorio is Handel's Messiah.
BYU Oratorio Choir was created in 1961.
An oratorio does not have acting, scenery, or costumes as an opera does but does have arias, recitatives, chorus, and orchestra.
oratorio
Handel's Messiah is an Oratorio, which is basically an opera without a stage. The Messiah is one of the few of Handel's Oratorio's without characters, which leads to the confusion expressed by many people (including yourself). The oratorio itself has a colorful place in music history; Handel's turning to the genre occured after the British public lost taste for his operas.