Quote:
Originally Posted by Rod Corkin
Well this was referred to as a 'masque' at the time amongst other things. Closer to his cantatas in feel I think, but sublime in any case. Nevertheless if one extends the scope of 'oratorio' that brings into mind such supremely elevated works of art as 'Alexander's Feast' and 'l'Allegro, il Penserose ed il Moderato'. Where does it end with Handel?
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All vocal works in english from 1738 to his death (with exception The Choice of Hercules) were called oratorio.
However, works like Semele and Hercules do not have the structure of an oratorio.