Page "Cantata" Paragraph 2

The term originated in the early 17th century simultaneously with opera and oratorio.

Prior to that all " cultured " music was vocal.

With the rise of instrumental music the term appeared, while the instrumental art became sufficiently developed to be embodied in sonatas.

From the beginning of the 17th century until late in the 18th, the cantata for one or two solo voices with accompaniment of basso continuo ( and perhaps a few solo instruments ) was a principal form of Italian vocal chamber music.