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CHAPTER 24 Textures of Worship: Handel and the English Ora-
torio
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Handel’s Messiah is a(n)
a. opera. c. oratorio.
b. cantata. d. 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. Why is Messiah so popular in Britain and America today?
a. It is sung in English.
b. The first part is appropriate for the Christmas season.
c. It combines vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra.
d. all of the answers shown here.
4. Which of the following characterize the oratorio?
a. All of the answers shown here. c. arias
b. recitatives d. choruses
5. The stories for oratorios are generally drawn from
a. Greek mythology. c. medieval history.
b. the Bible. d. contemporary life.
6. George Frideric Handel is considered a master of the
a. oratorio. c. cantata.
b. symphony. d. chorale.
7. ________ was born in Germany and studied in Italy, but spent much of his creative life in England.
a. Bach c. Vivaldi
b. Handel d. Scarlatti
8. When Handel arrived in London, he established his fame by composing
a. secular cantatas. c. concertos.
b. oratorios. d. operas.
9. Later in life, Handel turned his efforts from the opera to the
a. cantata. c. Mass.
b. symphony. d. oratorio.
10. The subject of the second part of Messiah is the
a. birth of Christ. c. redemption of the world.
b. death of Christ. d. all of the answers shown here.
11. The orchestra for Messiah relies primarily on the
a. strings. c. trumpets.
b. oboes. d. drums.
12. “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.
13. 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
14. 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.”
15. Which the following characterizes the “Hallelujah Chorus”?
a. varied dynamics c. homophonic passages
b. fugal passages d. All of the answers shown here.
16. The text of an oratorio is called
a. the story. c. the scene.
b. a libretto. d. None of the answers shown here.
17. Where was Handel born?
a. England c. France
b. Germany d. Italy
18. Handel and Bach were both born in Germany during the same year, and
a. never met.
b. collaborated on many musical projects.
c. both established their careers in London.
d. found success working for the Lutheran Church.
19. Before turning to the oratorio, Handel was successful at composing
a. Italian opera. c. French opera.
b. Masses. d. motets.
20. The subject of the first part of the Messiah is
a. the birth of Christ. c. Christ’s return.
b. the death of Christ. d. the fall of Rome.
21. Handel’s Messiah is divided into ________ parts.
a. two c. four
b. three d. five
22. Handel’s oratorio Messiah is sung in
a. English. c. Latin.
b. German. d. Italian.
23. Where did the premiere of Messiah take place?
a. Dublin, Ireland c. Halle, Germany
b. London, England d. Paris, France
24. Who composed the libretto for Messiah?
a. Handel c. the Queen of England
b. Nahum Tate d. None of the answers shown here.
25. Who invented the English oratorio?
a. Handel c. Purcell
b. Bach d. Shakespeare
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 Old and New Testaments.
5. Handel’s Messiah is divided into three parts.
6. “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion” is in bar form.
7. The “Hallelujah Chorus” is the climax of the Christmas section of Messiah.
8. Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus” includes a variety of textures.
9. Handel’s oratorios were designed to turn a profit.
10. Handel and Bach were born the same year and collaborated on many musical projects.
11. Although Handel was born in London, he found success working in Germany.
12. Handel is credited with inventing the English oratorio.
13. The instrumental refrain in an aria is called a ritornello.
14. Handel is buried in Westminster Abbey in London.
15. Handel found little fame outside of his native Germany.
ESSAY
1. Compare opera and oratorio, using examples of each genre to support your answer.
2. Compare the lives and output of Bach and Handel. Which was the more international composer? Why? For what audiences did each
compose?
3. Discuss some of the reasons that Handel found success with the English oratorio.
4. Discuss the ways in which Handel was an entrepreneur.
