How is an oratorio different from an opera?

Answer 1

The closer comparison to make is between oratorio and Opera. Oratorios were originally created to be the church's response to opera which the 17th century church considered somewhat sinful. Therefore, oratorios are really unstaged operas. As a matter of fact, they can be quite similar musically and there have been a few oratorios that have been staged from time to time. Loosely speaking, a cantata is a short oratorio.

Answer 2

• Cantata: A musical composition of choruses, recitatives, and arias, usually based on sacred texts.
  
• Oratorio: A musical composition that portray a sacred story usually without scenery, or dramatic action.
• Oratorios are usually much larger scale than cantatas with more people. They are both based on stories, however.
  

Answer 3

During the Baroque Period dramatic stagings of music were discouraged during the season of Lent, henceforth Oratorios came about as a non-staged setting of a dramatic story, usually of a religious background.

Answer 4

In Bach's time, a sacred German cantata for the Lutheran services was normally named a "Concerto" or "Stücke" ("Piece"), and was usually a mix of brilliant choruses, soloists recitatives and airs, and harmonized Lutheran chorales, all backed by elaborated orchestral parts and several solo instruments. The sacred German motet used to be sang by a full choir, and had one or several sections made of chorales and elaborated choruses, with no orchestra at all (a capella), or more usually, with instruments just doubling the choir parts (colla parte), making them sound more austere and serious. Besides, they were, more often than not, used in funeral services.

Answer 5

The cantata is only sung, usually accompanied by instruments and/or basso continuo. Cantata's are usually a religious story.

The opera is also sung, but the addition of costumes and non-musical dialog are also part of it. The opera can be both religious and secular.

Answer 6

Opera is a theatrical production, with scenery and costumes, and the singers act the story. Oratorio is a concert work, with no acting or scenery, and the chorus plays a larger part than in most operas.

Answer 7

an opera is like a play but with lots of singing and you mainly stay in one place.

Answer 8

An opera is a fully-staged theatrical production, complete with sets and costumes. An oratorio is a concert piece, and the subject matter is often Biblical.