A large musical composition including an orchestra, a choir, and soloists. Like an opera, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias. However, opera is musical theatre, while oratorio is strictly a concert piece—though oratorios are sometimes staged as operas, and operas are sometimes presented in concert form. In an oratorio there is generally little or no interaction between the characters, and no props or elaborate costumes. A particularly important difference is in the typical subject matter of the text. Opera tends to deal with history and mythology, including age-old devices of romance, deception, and murder, whereas the plot of an oratorio often deals with sacred topics, making it appropriate for performance in the church. Oratorios usually contain: An overture, for instruments alone, Various arias, sung by the vocal soloists, Recitative, usually employed to advance the plot, Choruses, often monumental and meant to convey a sense of glory. Frequently the instruments for oratorio choruses include timpani and trumpets. Handel - Messiah - 01 Sinfonia Handel - Messiah - 02 Recitative _ Comfort Ye! Handel - Messiah - 03 Air _ Every Valley Shall Be Exhalted Handel - Messiah - 04 Chorus _ And The Glory Of The Lord
