CANTATA

cantata, oratorio

(noun) a musical composition for voices and orchestra based on a religious text

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

cantata (plural cantatas)

(music) A vocal composition accompanied by instruments and generally containing more than one movement, typical of 17th and 18th century Italian music.

Usage notes

• The regularly formed plural cantatas is by far the most common, though the Italian-style plural cantate is not completely unheard-of.

Source: Wiktionary

Can*ta"ta, n. Etym: [It., fr. cantare to sing, fr. L. cantare intens of canere to sing.] (Mus.)

Definition: A poem set to music; a musical composition comprising choruses, solos, interludes, etc., arranged in a somewhat dramatic manner; originally, a composition for a single noise, consisting of both recitative and melody.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition