Baroque+Oratorio+-+Joy+Li

=**Baroque Oratorio** - Joy Li = = = =Baroque is an artistic style prevalent from 1600 to 1750. There are many music forms during the Baroque period such as Opera, Concerto, Oratorio, so i chose to research about Oratorio. = = = = The definition for Oratorio is: **A musical composition for voices and orchestra, telling a sacred story without costumes, scenery, or dramatic action.** =

= Oratorio is an extended musical setting of a sacred, usually non-liturgical, text. Except for a greater emphasis on the chorus throughout much of its history, the forms and styles of Oratorio tend to approximate to those of opera in any given period, but it is somewhat modeled after Opera. And the normal manner of performance is without scenery, costumes or action. =

= By the 1660s Oratorio was established, and until about 1720 it flourished in oratories. composers include F. Gasparini, Vivaldi and many leading opera composers. Their Oratorios are mostly in two sections, lasting about 90-120 minutes, with librettos based mainly on the Bible, hagiography and moral allegory. the theme of an Oratorio is meant to be weighty. it could include such topics as creation, the life of Jesus, or the career of a classical hero or biblical prophet. the musical style of Oratorio is similar to the opera, with few choruses and many da capo arias. =

= The similarities between Oratorio and opera include the use of a choir, soloists, and ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias. However opera is in the theatre, while Oratorio is strictly a concert piece, though Oratorios are sometimes staged as operas, and operas are sometimes presented in concert form. =

= Oratorio became extremely popular in early 17th century Italy party and became the main choice of music during that period for opera audiences. During the second half of the 17th century, there were trend toward the secularization of the religious Oratorio. =

= Most composers of Oratorio were also popular composers of operas, so they began to publish the librettos of their Oratorios as they did for their operas. =

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= = =This music piece is composed by George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) and called //Behold the Lamb of God,// is the part of Messiah, which is one of his famous Oratorios =

= George Frideric Handel was a German-English Baroque Composer who is the most famous for his operas, Oratorios and Concertos. =

= = = In 1738 Handel, ended with his last opera, Deidamia, and started with his Oratorios. In 1742, Messiah, the work for which he is best known, was first performed in Dublin. Handel continued composing Oratorios at the rate of about two a year, including some other famous pieces such as :  Athalia, Saul, Samson, and Solomon. Until 1751, his eyesight began to fail. And he died in London on April 14, 1759. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

 Bibliography:
== Stanley, S. "Music Forms - Oratorio." //Classical Musical Pages//. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 May 2010. . ==