An oratorio can be both secular and religious.
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.
Oratorio
An oratorio is typically characterized by its sacred themes, vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestral accompaniment, often featuring dramatic storytelling without staging or costumes. Music that does not characterize an oratorio includes secular songs, operas, or instrumental compositions that lack a narrative or religious context. Additionally, popular music genres like rock or pop do not fit the traditional framework of an oratorio.
The most important vocal genres in Baroque music were opera and oratorio
Sacred music
An oratorio is a concert piece for orchestra, chorus, and soloist, which is typically based on stories from The Bible. Operas a full theatrical productions with sets and costumes, and the plots are generally secular.
An oratorio is a concert piece for orchestra, chorus, and soloist, which is typically based on stories from The Bible. Operas a full theatrical productions with sets and costumes, and the plots are generally secular.
Oratorio music is a form of vocal music that typically tells a religious or moral story through a combination of soloists, chorus, and orchestra. Key characteristics include a narrative structure, use of sacred texts, and dramatic elements. Unlike opera, oratorio music is usually performed without costumes or staging, focusing more on the music and storytelling.
An oratorio is a piece of music which is especially based on one or a series of incidents relating to a religion. Most of the oratorios were composed in Baroque period; Handel and J. S. Bach were among principal composers. An oratorio is a large scale work for orchestra and a vocal choir and some examples are Messiah (Handel) and Christmas Oratorio (Bach).
Gerard Victory has written: 'Quartetto' -- subject(s): Cantatas, Secular, Secular Cantatas, Vocal scores
Douglas Young has written: 'The listeners' -- subject(s): Cantatas, Secular, Secular Cantatas, Vocal scores
A Madrigal is secular vocal music. A Motet is, for all intents and purposes, a sacred Madrigal; meaning it is religious vocal music.