Word Study
Cantata
CIDE DICTIONARY
Cantata, n. [It., fr. cantare to sing, fr. L. cantare intens of canere to sing.].
A poem set to music; a musical composition comprising choruses, solos, interludes, etc., arranged in a somewhat dramatic manner; originally, a composition for a single noise, consisting of both recitative and melody. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
Cantata, n. Mus. a short narrative or descriptive composition with vocal solos and usu. chorus and orchestral accompaniment.
Etymology
It. cantata (aria) sung (air) f. cantare sing
THESAURUS
Cantata
Negro spiritual, anthem, canticle, choral singing, chorale, chorus, church music, doxology, glee, gospel, gospel music, hymn, hymn-tune, hymnody, hymnology, introit, madrigal, madrigaletto, mass, motet, offertory, offertory sentence, oratorio, paean, passion, prosodion, psalm, psalmody, recessional, requiem, requiem mass, sacred music, spiritual, unison, white spiritualROGET THESAURUS
Cantata
Music
N music, concert, strain, tune, air, melody, aria, arietta, piece of music, work, number, opus, sonata, rondo, rondeau, pastorale, cavatina, roulade, fantasia, concerto, overture, symphony, variations, cadenza, cadence, fugue, canon, quodlibet, serenade, notturno, dithyramb, opera, operetta, oratorio, composition, movement, stave, passamezzo, toccata, Vorspiel, instrumental music, full score, minstrelsy, tweedledum and tweedledee, band, orchestra, concerted piece, potpourri, capriccio, vocal music, vocalism, chaunt, chant, psalm, psalmody, hymn, song, canticle, canzonet, cantata, bravura, lay, ballad, ditty, carol, pastoral, recitative, recitativo, solfeggio, Lydian measures, slow music, slow movement, adagio, minuet, siren strains, soft music, lullaby, dump, dirge, pibroch, martial music, march, dance music, waltz, solo, duet, duo, trio, quartet, quartett, septett, part song, descant, glee, madrigal, catch, round, chorus, chorale, antiphon, antiphony, accompaniment, second, bass, score, bourdon, drone, morceau, terzetto, composer, musician, musical, instrumental, vocal, choral, lyric, operatic, harmonious, Wagnerian, adagio, largo, larghetto, andante, andantino, alla capella, maestoso, moderato, allegro, allegretto, spiritoso, vivace, veloce, presto, prestissimo, con brio, capriccioso, scherzo, scherzando, legato, staccato, crescendo, diminuendo, rallentando, affettuoso, obbligato, pizzicato, desto, in notes by distance made more sweet, like the faint exquisite music of a dream, music arose with its voluptuous swell, music is the universal language of mankind, music's golden tongue, the speech of angels, will sing the savageness out of a bear, music hath charms to soothe the savage beast.For further exploring for "Cantata" in Webster Dictionary Online