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g with an orchestral accompaniment, but without action, scenery, or costume, although the oratorio grew out of the Mysteries and the Miracle and Passion plays, which were acted.

Oratorical. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor. -- Or`a*to"ri*ous*ly, adv. [Obs.]

e performance of symphonies, overtures, etc., as well as for the accompaniment of operas, oratorios, cantatas, masses, and the like, or of vocal and instrumental solos.

A composition, for a full orchestra, designed as an introduction to an oratorio, opera, or ballet, or as an independent piece; -- called in the latter case a concert overture.

emiquavers, or sixteenths) uniformly grouped, sung upon one long syllable, as in Handel's oratorios.

In an opera or oratorio, a coda, or winding up, in an accelerated time. [Written also stretta.]