masses_ have been written by many of the great composers
(Bach, Beethoven, Verdi, Gounod), and in many cases these
_masses_ are so complex that they are not practicable for the
actual service of the Church, and are therefore performed only
by large choral societies, as concert works.

166. A _cantata_ is a vocal composition for chorus and soloists, the
text being either sacred or secular. The accompaniment may be written
for piano, organ, or orchestra.

When sacred in character the _cantata_ differs from the
oratorio in being shorter and less dramatic, in not usually
having definite characters, and in being written for church
use, while the oratorio is intended for concert performance.

When secular in subject the _cantata_ differs from the opera
in not usually having definite characters, and in being always
rendered without scenery or action.

Examples of the _sacred cantata_ are: Stainer's "The
Crucifixion," Clough-Leighter's "The Righteous Branch," and
Gaul's "The Holy City." Examples of the _secular cantata_ are:
Bruch's "Armenius," Coleridge-Taylor's "Hiawatha."

167. An _oratorio_ is a composition on a large scale for chorus,
soloists, and orchestra, the text usually dealing with some religious
subject. The _oratorio_, as noted above, is not intended for the church
service, but is written for concert performance.

168. An _opera_ is a composition for vocal soloists, chorus, and
orchestra, with characters, action, scenery, and dramatic movement. It
is a drama set to music.

_Grand opera_ is opera with a serious plot, in which
everything is sung, there being no spoken dialog at all.

_Opera comique_ is a species of opera in which part of the
dialog is spoken and part sung. _Opera comique_ is not
synonymous with _comic opera_, for the plot of opera comique
is as often serious as not. In fact the entire distinction
between the terms _grand opera_ and _opera comique_ is being
broken down, the latter term referring merely to operas first
given at the Opera Comique in Paris, and the former term to
those given at the Grand Opera House in the same city.

A _comic opera_ is a humorous opera, the plot providing many
amusing situations and the whole ending happily. It
corresponds with the _comedy_ in literature.

A _light opera_ is one with an exceedingly trivial plot, in