The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Cantata \Can*ta"ta\, n. [It., fr. cantare to sing, fr. L.
   cantare intens of canere to sing.] (Mus.)
   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]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

cantata
    n 1: a musical composition for voices and orchestra based on a
         religious text [syn: cantata, oratorio]