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oratorio

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or⋅a⋅to⋅ri⋅o

  [awr-uh-tawr-ee-oh, -tohr-, or-]
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–noun, plural -ri⋅os.
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.
Origin:
1625–35; < It: small chapel < LL ōrātōrium oratory 2 ; so named from the musical services in the church of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Rome
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Oratorio Sheet Music
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www.Music44.com
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.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

oratorio

A musical composition for voices and orchestra, telling a religious story.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

oratorio 
"long musical composition, usually with a text based on Scripture," 1727 (in Eng. 1644 in native form oratory), from It. oratorio (late 16c.), from Church L. oratorium (see oratory (2)), in ref. to musical services in the church of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Rome, where old mystery plays were adapted to religious services.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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