Chapter 20: Textures of Worship: Handel and the English Oratorio
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Handel’s Messiah is an example of:
a. an opera. c. an oratorio.
b. a cantata. d. a masque.
2. Which of the following is Handel’s most famous oratorio, frequently performed today?
a. Julius Caesar c. Samson
b. Israel in Egypt d. Messiah
3. Handel’s Messiah has become a staple of
a. Easter celebrations.
b. Christmastime celebrations.
c. Passover celebrations.
d. none of the answers shown here
4. An oratorio includes which of the following?
a. elaborate scenery c. costumes
b. recitatives d. acting
5. The stories for oratorios are generally drawn from:
a. Greek mythology. c. medieval history.
b. the Bible. d. contemporary life.
6. __________ was born in Germany and studied in Italy but spent much of his creative life in
England.
a. Bach c. Purcell
b. Handel d. Scarlatti
7. When Handel arrived in London, he established his fame by composing:
a. secular cantatas. c. concertos.
b. oratorios. d. operas.
8. Later in life, Handel turned his efforts from the opera to:
a. the cantata. c. the Mass.
b. the symphony. d. the oratorio.
9. “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion” from Messiah is an example of:
a. a da capo aria. c. accompagnato recitative.
b. secco recitative. d. four-part choral writing.
10. What is a ritornello?
a. a repeated figure in the bass line
b. the repetition of the A section in a da capo aria
c. a recurring motive in an aria
d. an instrumental refrain in an aria
11. The famous choral climax of Handel’s Messiah is:
a. “For unto us a Child is born.” c. “Comfort ye, my people.”
b. the “Hallelujah Chorus.” d. “And the glory of the Lord.”
12. The text of an oratorio is called:
a. a libretto. c. da capo aria.
b. a sermon. d. ritornello.
13. Handel’s Messiah was
a. officially sponsored by the church.
b. commissioned by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
c. designed to turn a profit.
d. commissioned by the Queen of England.
TRUE/FALSE
1. An oratorio is a dramatic, staged work with elaborate scenery and costumes.
2. The role of the chorus is especially important in the oratorio.
3. Handel wrote his oratorio Messiah over a period of four years.
4. The libretto for Handel’s oratorio Messiah is a compilation of verses from the Bible.
5. The “Hallelujah Chorus” is the climax of the Christmas section of Messiah.
6. Handel and J. S. Bach were close friends.
7. The church officially sponsored Handel’s Messiah.
8. An oratorio includes recitatives, arias, and choruses.
9. A ritornello is the repetition of the A section in a da capo aria.
10. Handel was a composer and an entrepreneur.
ESSAY
1. What are the differences between an opera and an oratorio? Use examples of each genre to support
your answer.
ANS:
Answers will vary.
PTS: 1 DIF: 2 REF: Essentials: pp. 95–99 | Essentials: pp. 106–110
TOP: Baroque Oratorio MSC: Conceptual
2. Discuss the reasons for the Messiah’s continued popularity.
ANS:
Answers will vary.
PTS: 1 DIF: 2 REF: Essentials: pp. 106–110
TOP: Baroque Oratorio MSC: Applied