- Hiérodrame
Hiérodrame [Gr. ἱερὀς, sacred and δρᾶμα, drama] is a French musical work for two or more voices,with a plot drawn from the
Bible . The term was generally used as a synonym fororatorio in France in the 1750s-1780s. Scored for soloists, chorus, and orchestra, the hiérodrame was similar to the grand motet in its structure of solo airs and choruses; however, the texts were taken from newly-composed French poems, rather than Latinpsalms .French oratorios were performed at the
Concert Spirituel , rather than in church. Works that were performed at the Concert Spirituel and described as hiérodrames include "Le sacrifice d'Abraham" (1780, words byVoltaire , music byCambini ); "Samson" (1783, words by Voltaire, music byValentin ), and "Absalon" (1786, words byMoline , music byHenri Montan Berton ).References
Benoit, Marcelle, ed. "Dictionnaire de la musique en France aux XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles". Paris: Fayard, 1992, ISBN 2-213-02824-9.
Pierre, Constant. "Histoire du Concert Spirituel 1725-1790". Paris: Heugel et Cie., 1975.
Smither, Howard E. "Oratorio, Sect. 12," [http://www.grovemusic.com Grove Music Online]
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