Oratorio
An oratorio (English plural oratorios; oratorium in Dutch and Afrikaans, the plural being oratoria) is usually described as a large-scale musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists, usually in narrative form and often based on a sacred theme.
Unlike an opera, which is seen as a piece of musical theatre, an oratorio is strictly considered to be a concert piece, and which tends to be performed without costume, scenery, or action.
==South African oratoria
The best known examples include Bach's Christmas Oratorio, Handel's Messiah, and Haydn's The Creation.
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South African examples include:
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oratorio
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