An Outline of The History of Western Music Grout ... - The Reel Score

d) Oratorios
(1) the Italian oratorio was essentially an opera on a sacred subject and
presented in concert rather than on stage
(2) Handel brought elements to the oratorio that were foreign to the Italian opera
- from the English mask, the choral anthem, French classical drama, ancient
Greek drama, and German historia - all adapted to the English environment
(3) most important innovation was his use of the chorus in the oratorios
3. Sumary
a) he adopted the devices that became important in the new style of the mid 18th
century
b) he deliberately appealed to a middle class audience - recognizing social changes
that would have far reaching effects on music