in the ancient drama. See Drama.

Music, a composition of two, three, four, or more parts, each of which is intended to be sung by a plurality of voices. Choruses are made to follow a piece of music sung by one individual, or in parts by single or at least only a few voices, and, as it were, bring to a climax the joy, adoration, grief, or any other sentiment or passion therein expressed. The choruses of Handel, particularly those in his oratorio of the "Messiah," are considered as the finest compositions of the kind, and, when well performed with complete orchestral accompaniments, produce the most triumphant effect of which music is capable. Chorus is also applied to those who sing the parts.

CHOTYN or CIOCZUM, a strongly fortified town of European Russia, province of Bessarabia, situated on a hill on the right bank of the Dniester, 16 miles S.W. of Kamenetz. Pop. 8000. In 1739 the Russians here defeated the Turks and took possession of the town; which was subsequently restored to the Turks in 1769. It again fell into the hand of the Russians, and was once more restored by the peace of Kainardgi in 1774. The united armies of the Russians and Austrians, after a siege, compelled it to surrender in 1788; but it reverted to the Turks at the peace of Jassy in 1792. It was finally ceded by Turkey to Russia, along with Bessarabia and part of Moldavia, in 1812.