The Oratorio

1. The Oratorio A synopsis of the development of a genre from it’s inception to the Classical Period.

2. A working definition… • Based off of the Latin word orare, which means, “to pray.” • Later on the Italian language changed the term to oratorio, which means “prayer hall” or “oratory” • A work of music whose text is sacred, dramatic, narrative, and contemplative in its design • Also called a sacred drama

3. In the beginning… • Originated in Italy • 17th century was comprised of two different forms • The oratorio latino • An oratorio that’s text was written in the language of the church, Latin. • The oratorio vulgare • An oratorio that used freely chosen texts that were written in the Italian vernacular language

4. In the beginning… • term “oratorio” first used in 1640 • Pietro Della Valle’s Oratorio della Purificatione • Performed in concerts rather than in church, because of the fact that it didn’t always have a sacred text • Oratorios usually follow in a recitative (free flowing spoken-like), aria (metered and more strict), and chorus pattern • Later, these three parts began to flow together as seen in the music of Haydn

5. Centers of Learning • Bologna and Modena became significant centers of the genre. • Another important center-Vienna • Connection with Emperor Leopald I

6. Connections to Opera • both had the flexible mixture of recitative • arioso and aria styles in early oratorio gave way to a more defined difference between recitatives and arias • Length of choruses • usually brief in Italian oratorios • more significant in German oratorios • Even more significant in the English oratorios

7. Important Figures in Oratorio • Philip of Neri • Advocate of music in his oratory • Had songs done as a counter to the corruption of music and texts that was prevalent in Rome at the time • Emilio del Cavalieri • Credited with writing the first true oratorio • La Rappresentazione di animo e di corpo-“ the body and the soul.” • Better fit in the genre of opera, while it is a precedent to the oratorio

8. Important Figures in Oratorio • Giacomo Carissimi • Cultivated the oratorio latino • Included dramatic action in a style that was highly similar to that of a motet • Chief contribution to the oratorio was the development of the recitative • Alessandro Scarlatti • Versatile in writing and forming operas, cantatas, and oratorios • Studied music under Carissimi • Developed Carissimi’s advancements in the area of the oratorio

9. Important Figures in Oratorio • Johann Sebastian Bach • Combine the passion style of Germany with the oratorio style of Italy • Genre would come to be known as “Oratorium”, or an oratorio with German text. • Joseph Haydn • Two only oratorios are The Creation and Seasons • Helped to bring the oratorio to a more popular genre and style

10. And then there was… • George Frederick Handel • Most famous of all oratorio composers • Baroque period • Helped move the oratorio from Germany to England • Known as the “Creator of the English oratorio” • Modern oratorios and all others following his are usually based off of his.

11. Achieved is the Glorious Work… • Excerpts from Oratorios: • Handel’s Messiah (Baroque Period) • Thus Saith the Lord (recitative) • But Who May Abide (aria) • And He Shall purify (chorus) • Haydn’s Creation (Classical Period) • In the Beginning (recitative, chorus, recitative) • And God Said (recitative) • Rolling in Foaming Billows (aria)

12. Further Information… • Groves Music. • This website is provided and provides useful information on the oratorio genre and other useful musical information. • The world of the oratorio: oratorio, mass, requiem, te deum, stabat mater and large cantatas. By K. Pahlen and distributed by Amadeus Press. • This book is on the oratorio and includes compositions by the composers discussed in the text.