George Frideric Handel was a German composer who spent time in Italy and Germany composing operas before moving to England in 1710. In England, he turned from opera to composing oratorios, a new genre that combined elements of opera and Catholic oratorio. Handel's oratorios were highly successful in England and fit the national mood. His most famous work, Messiah, was composed in 1741 and has been performed continuously since. Messiah tells the story of Christianity through biblical texts set to music across three parts: prophecy, Christmas, and Easter. It includes arias, recitatives, and choruses such as the well-known "Hallelujah Chorus."

1. CHAPTER 21
Textures of Worship: Handel
and the English Oratorio
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Born in Halle, Germany but moved to Italy
in 1706--composed operas and oratorios
there.
Worked as a violinist in opera house at
Hamburg.
Studied music in Rome with Corelli.
Spent time in Venice where he composed
the oratorio, The Resurrection
Moved back to Germany to be music
director for the Elector of Hanover in
1710, but then moved to England-
composed operas and oratorios.
Director of London Royal Academy of
Music
Abandoned opera in 1741 and turned to
oratorios.
One of the first composers to become a
cultural hero--commemorated in 1784 by
series of concerts in Westminster Abbey.
George Frideric Handel (1685 - 1759)

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Oratorio
performed in the
oratory of church
Handel and the English Oratorio

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The Oratorio, Part 1
I. The Oratorio
A. Oratorio: sacred vocal form
1. large-scale dramatic genre: solo voices, chorus, orchestra
2. performed in concert setting without scenery or costumes
3. similarities to opera: recitatives, arias, duets, trios, choruses
4. sacred text: biblical story, libretto by religious leaders
5. early oratorios sponsored by Catholic Church
a. public meeting places
b. messages about faith to wide audience
c. moral alternative to opera

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The Oratorio, Part 2

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The Oratorio, Part 3
B. George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)
1. German composer, director, producer
2. worked in Italy, Germany, England
3. wrote, directed, and produced Italian operas
4. founder of Royal Academy of Music
5. revered by English: buried at Westminster Abbey
6. style: rhythmic drive, rich melodies, dramatic expression
7. output: over 40 Italian operas, English oratorios, orchestral suites,
concertos, keyboard and chamber music

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The Oratorio, Part 5
C. Handel and the English oratorio
1. invented new genre
a. elements of Italian opera, Catholic oratorio, and English grand
choral style
b. libretto by poets rather than religious leaders
2. not sponsored by church; entrepreneurial venture
3. success fit national mood, British self-confidence
1. religious stories about a “chosen people” appealing
2. increased interest in choral singing

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The Oratorio, Part 6
D. Messiah
1. composed in twenty-four days, premiered in Dublin
2. performed continuously since its premiere
3. libretto: biblical verses, Old and New Testaments
a. Christmas section: prophecy of coming of Christ
b. Easter section: suffering, death, spread of his doctrine
c. Redemption section: redemption of the world through faith

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The Messiah
2 ½ hours long
Written in 24 Days
1st performance in Dublin(1742), benefit for debtor’s
prison
1st in London-religious opposition to Christian text in
theater
Achieved unique status, performed yearly at benefit for
London orphanage
“Fed the hungry, clothed the naked, fostered the orphan.”

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The Messiah
3 Main parts
Prophecy of Messiah’s arrival
Christmas
Easter
53 sections-19 choruses, 16 aria/recitatives, 2
orchestral features
Contemplation on Christian belief-prophecy,
birth, suffering & death, Resurrection &
Redemption
Only oratorio to use Old & New Testament

11. • “da capo” means “go back and sing the beginning again”
• A = very melodic, but not ornamented B = contrasting mood, tonality,
tempo A = repeated, but this time embellished
A’ section: repeat the 1st
section; Singer is free to
improvise/ornament,
embellish melody
B section: contrasts of
mood, tonality, or
change of tempo
A section: highly
melodic, minimal
ornamentation
Three parts: called A B A (letters designate sections)
A
B
A
Aria Form: Called “Da Capo”

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The Oratorio, Part 7

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The Oratorio, Part 8

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The Oratorio, Part 9
E. Listening Guide 10: Handel: Messiah, Nos. 18 and 44 (1742)
1. Part I: Christmas Section, No. 18, Soprano aria, “Rejoice greatly”
a. three-part aria form (da capo, A-B-A´)
b. melismatic passages: “rejoice”
c. instrumental ritornellos, exchanges with voice
d. A´ section: varies considerably from first A section
2. Part II: Easter Section, No. 44, “Hallelujah Chorus”
a. 4-part chorus and orchestra
b. shifting textures: homorhythmic, imitative polyphony
c. varied dynamics, dramatic effect

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Messiah, “Rejoice Greatly”
Rejoice Greatly

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“Hallelujah” Chorus
Characteristics
Lengthy with repetitive text
Rhythm strictly adhered to
Accompaniment-important role
Music requires more than average singing skill, challenging
Chorus-two meanings
Group that sings choral music
Choral section of musical work

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At first performance-
“Hallelujah Chorus”-King
George II stood, started
tradition that is still
practiced
(pg. 114)
The Messiah

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Messiah, “Hallelujah”
Hallelujah Chorus

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The Oratorio, Part 10

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The Oratorio, Part 11

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Credits
This concludes the Lecture PowerPoint presentation for “The Enjoyment of Music, 4th Edition, Chapter 21: Textures of Worship:
Handel and the English Oratorio”
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