cantata

[ kuh n-tah-tuh ]

/ kənˈtɑ tə /

a choral composition, either sacred and resembling a short oratorio or secular, as a lyric drama set to music but not to be acted.

a metrical narrative set to recitative or alternate recitative and air, usually for a single voice accompanied by one or more instruments.

Origin of cantata

1715–25; < Italian, equivalent to cant(are) to sing (see cant¹) + -ata -ate¹

The cantata, often described as “challenging,” was sung entirely in German.

The First Americans to Observe the 4th Were Moravian Pacifists |Linda C. Brinson |July 4, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
A cantata for orchestra, "Lelewala," a legend of Niagara, is published for piano accompaniment.

Contemporary American Composers |Rupert Hughes
The oratorios and cantata of the theatre and beer-garden were the Sabbath accompaniments of the sermon.

History of Rationalism Embracing a Survey of the Present State of Protestant Theology |John F. Hurst
We had travelled with the Marquis Amde de Pastoret, who had written the words of the cantata which had won my prize for me.

Autobiographical Reminiscences with Family Letters and Notes on Music |Charles Gounod

He had written two operas, besides a cantata, Egle e Irene, composed for the princess Belgiojoso.

The Life of Rossini |Henry Sutherland Edwards
Then the gospel, and after this the cantata, which was also preceded by a prelude.

Bach |Charles Francis Abdy Williams

cantata

/ (kænˈtɑːtə) /

a musical setting of a text, esp a religious text, consisting of arias, duets, and choruses interspersed with recitatives

C18: from Italian, from cantare to sing, from Latin

cantata

[ (kuhn-tah-tuh) ]

A musical composition for voice and instruments and including choruses, solos, and recitatives.