Musical forms and terms of the baroque era :

Many of the forms associated with the baroque era are the opera, the oratorio, the cantata, the concerto, the sonata and the suite.

The opera is a drama primarily sang accompanied by instruments and presented on stage. It typically alternates between recitative, speech like song that advances the plot, and aries, songs in which characters express feelings at particular points in their action.

The oratorio is an extended musical drama with a text based on religious subject matter intended for performance without scenery, costume or action. Oratorio originally meant prayer hall.

The cantata is an extended piece consisting of succession and recetivies and set pieces such as aries, duets and choruses.

The sonata is used to describe several types of pieces in the baroque era. The term sonata most commonly was used to label a work in several movements for one or more instruments and basso continue. A sonata for two violins or other treble instruments plus bass was called a trio sonata.

The concerto derived from the Italian concertare, the concerto took several forms during the baroque era. A concerto was simply a composition that united a diverse ensemble consisting of voices, instruments or both. Later the concerto began was known for its modern definition.. A multi movement work for instrumental soloist (or group of soloists) and orchestra. Taking its cue from canzonas and sonatas, the concerto grosso alternate a small