ORATORIO, in the Italian music, a sort of sacred drama of dialogues; containing recitatives, duettos, trios, ritornellos, choruses, &c.
The subjects of these pieces are usually taken from the scriptures, or from the life of some saint, &c.
The music for the oratorio should be in the finest taste, and best chosen strains. These oratorios are greatly used at Rome, in time of lent; and of late, in England.