Oratorio (Baroque) is defined as...

• A. A musical composition for voices and orchestra based on a religious text (no costumes, scenery, or acting)
• B. A dramatic work in acts with elaborate stage design
• C. A secular opera with spoken dialogue
• D. A chorale harmonization for choir and organ

Answer: (A)

Oratorio is a large-scale Baroque vocal-instrumental work performed as a concert piece, typically sacred in text, and presented without costumes, scenery, or acting. It shares the musical style of opera—with contrasting arias, recitatives, ensembles, and choruses—but it isn’t staged like an opera. The text is usually religious or biblical, focusing on dramatic narrative or reflection through music rather than on theatrical production. That description fits best: a musical composition for voices and orchestra based on a religious text with no staging. The other options describe opera with sets, drama, or dialogue, or a simple chorale setting, which are not what an oratorio is.