cantata

[ kuhn-tah-tuh ]

noun

1. a choral composition, either sacred and resembling a short oratorio or secular, as a lyric drama set to music but not to be acted.
2. a metrical narrative set to recitative or alternate recitative and air, usually for a single voice accompanied by one or more instruments.

cantata

/ kænˈtɑːtə /

noun

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

cantata

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cantata¹

1715–25; < Italian, equivalent to cant ( are ) to sing ( cant ¹ ) + -ata -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cantata¹

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

Example Sentences

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

From The Daily Beast

In spite of this official success, the cantata did not win the approval of the musical authorities.

From Project Gutenberg

Nevertheless, Cui did not handle the young composer so severely as on the occasion of his Diploma Cantata.

From Project Gutenberg

On this occasion he was well beforehand with the work, and sent in the cantata to the committee by the 1st of April.

From Project Gutenberg

There the pupils of the Conservatorium awaited them, and sang a cantata composed by Elsner for the occasion.

From Project Gutenberg

This ceremony was an annual function, one of its features being the performance of the cantata which had won the music prize.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• arrangement
• concerto
• drama
• melody
• music
• piece
• poetry
• setup
• symphony
• theme
• tune
• writing