Oratorio Terms

Question 1

French overture

Answer 1

• a Baroque orchestral genre, often the orchestral introduction to an opera or oratorio
• first developed at the court of Louis XIV by Jean-Baptiste Lully
  generally in two parts:
  —first part - slow tempo, homophonic, texture, features dotted figures
  —second part – fast tempo, imitative texture

Question 2

libretto

Answer 2

• the text of an opera, oratorio or cantata
• usually written by someone other than the composer

Question 3

recitative

Answer 3

• a speech-like style of singing used in operas, oratorios, and cantatas
• follows inflections of the text, resulting in rhythmic flexibility
• usually used to advance the plot or storyline
• moves through text quickly

Question 4

recitative secco

Answer 4

• Italian for “dry recitative””
• a speech-like declamatory style of singing
• supported only by continuo
• employed in opera, oratorio and cantata

Question 5

recitative accompagnato

Answer 5

• Italian for “accompanied recitative”
  a speech-like, declamatory style of singing
• supported by instrumental ensemble or orchestra
• allows for greater connection with the text
• employed in opera, oratorio and cantata

Question 6

aria

Answer 6

• Italian for “air”
• a solo song with accompaniment, heard in an opera, oratorio or cantata
• highly emotional and often virtuosic
• may have lyrical or dramatic qualities
• often serves to reveal the character’s most intimate emotions

Question 7

da capo aria

Answer 7

• an aria (solo song) employing a ternary (ABA) structure
• in performance, the return of Section A is generally ornamented
• the most common type of aria in Baroque opera and oratorio

Question 8

word painting

Answer 8

• musical pictorialization
• the music mirrors the literal meaning of the words
• achieved through melody, harmony or rhythm

Question 9

melisma

Answer 9

• a group of notes sung on a single syllable/vowel
• demonstrates vocal virtuosity and often serves to highlight key words