Hiérodrame r. ἱερὀς, sacred and δρᾶμα, dramais a French musical work for two or more voices, with a plot drawn from the

Bible The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity, Judaism, Samaritanism, and many other religions. The Bible is an anthologya compilation of texts of a ...

. The term was generally used as a synonym for

oratorio An oratorio () is a large musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists. Like most operas, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an instrumental ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias. However, opera is mus ...

in France in the 1750s-1780s. Scored for soloists, chorus, and orchestra, the hiérodrame was similar to the

grand motet The grand motet (plural grands motets) was a genre of motet cultivated at the height of the French Baroque music, French baroque, although the term dates from later French usage. At the time, due to the stylistic feature of employing two alternating ...

in its structure of solo airs and choruses; however, the texts were taken from newly composed French poems, rather than Latin

psalms The Book of Psalms ( or ; he, תְּהִלִּים, , lit. "praises"), also known as the Psalms, or the Psalter, is the first book of the ("Writings"), the third section of the Tanakh, and a book of the Old Testament. The title is derived ...

. 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 by

Voltaire François-Marie Arouet (; 21 November 169430 May 1778) was a French Age of Enlightenment, Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher. Known by his ''Pen name, nom de plume'' M. de Voltaire (; also ; ), he was famous for his wit, and his ...

, music by Cambini); ''Samson'' (1783, words by Voltaire, music by Valentin), and ''Absalon'' (1786, words by Moline, music by

Henri Montan Berton Henri-Montan Berton (17 September 1767 – 22 April 1844) was a French composer, teacher, and writer, mostly known as a composer of operas for the Opéra-Comique. Career Henri-Montan Berton was born the son of Pierre Montan Berton.Charlton ...

References

Benoit, Marcelle, ed. ''Dictionnaire de la musique en France aux XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles''. Paris: Fayard, 1992, . Pierre, Constant. ''Histoire du Concert Spirituel 1725-1790''. Paris: Heugel et Cie., 1975. Smither, Howard E. "Oratorio, Sect. 12,
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Hierodrame Classical music styles