[awr-uh-tawr-ee-oh, -tohr-, or-] 
| an extended musical composition with a text more or less dramatic in character and usually based upon a religious theme, for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra, and performed without action, costume, or scenery. |
| or·a·to·ri·o (ôr'ə-tôr'ē-ō', -tōr'-, ŏr'-) n. pl. or·a·to·ri·os A musical composition for voices and orchestra, telling a sacred story without costumes, scenery, or dramatic action. [Italian, after Oratorio, the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri at Rome, where famous musical services were held in the 16th century.] |