Studia Musicologica
Volume/Issue:
Volume 62: Issue 3-4
Handel's Magic World: Hidden Complexity in Arias of Zoroastro in Orlando by George Frideric Handel
Author:
Jing Xu College of Music, Yangzhou University, 88 University South Road, Yangzhou 225009, P.R., China

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Pages:
351–361
Online Publication Date:
28 Jun 2022
Publication Date:
28 Jun 2022
Article Category:
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1556/6.2021.00022
Keywords:
Handel; opera; Orlando; Zoroastro; complexity
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Abstract

This article examines Handel's opera Orlando from the period of the new Royal Academy of Music (1729–1734). Handel's operas contain many compelling musical elements which impart information and contribute to the richness of his dramatic acts. This article illustrates the various components of compositional practices such as harmonic progression, rhythm, key changes, and chromaticism in Orlando. The second part explores the application of his theatrical gesture of opera. His music releases the meaning of the texts and conveys the content of expression to the audience in a unique way. Finally, this article studies and examines the overture and three arias of the character Zoroastro from Handel's Orlando by comparing several adjacent arias as a group. By studying the role of Zoroastro, we will find that Handel's musical language in opera contains a hidden complexity displayed through the following: expression of tonality and key signature; certain qualities or characteristics of a wider range both in the vocal line and orchestra; and application of ostinato and cross-rhythm in order to enhance the textual meaning. The study shall benefit our ongoing comprehension of Handel's power for evoking the audience's interest, attention, and admiration which are identified when listening to, performing, and analyzing his arias.

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Cover Studia Musicologica
Studia Musicologica
Print ISSN:
1788-6244
Online ISSN:
1789-2422

Senior editors

Editor(s)-in-Chief: Péter BOZÓ (Institute for Musicology, Research Centre for the Humanities, Budapest, H)

Review Editor: Lynn HOOKER (Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA)

Assistant Editor(s):
Patrick DEVINE (Maynooth University, Maynooth, IRL)
Anna LASKAI (Institute for Musicology, Research Centre for the Humanities, Budapest, H)

Editorial Board

  • Anja BUNZEL (Institute of Art History, Czech Academy of Sciences, CZ)
  • William A. EVERETT (Conservatory University of Missouri-Kansas City, USA)
  • Denis HERLIN (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, F)
  • Vjera KATALINIĆ (HR)
  • Katalin KOMLÓS (professor emerita, Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest, H)
  • Valeria LUCENTINI (University of Bern, CH)
  • Tatjana MARKOVIĆ (Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Wien, A)
  • Pál RICHTER (Institute for Musicology, Research Centre for the Humanities, Budapest, H)
  • László SOMFAI (Institute for Musicology, Research Centre for the Humanities, Budapest, H)
  • László VIKÁRIUS (Institute for Musicology, Research Centre for the Humanities, Budapest, H)

 

Editorial Secretary

  • István Csaba NÉMETH (Institute for Musicology, Research Centre for the Humanities, Budapest, H)

STUDIA MUSICOLOGICA
Address: H–1476 Budapest, PO Box 410, Hungary
Fax: +36 1 375 9282
E-mail: studia@btk.mta.hu

Indexing and Abstracting Services:

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2023  
Web of Science  
Journal Impact Factor 0.1
Rank by Impact Factor Q3 (Music)
Journal Citation Indicator 0.17
Scopus  
CiteScore 0.1
CiteScore rank Q4 (Music)
SNIP 0.626
Scimago  
SJR index 0.114
SJR Q rank Q3

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Studia Musicologica
Language English
French
German
Size B5
Year of
Foundation		 2007 (1961)
Volumes
per Year		 1
Issues
per Year		 4
Founder Magyar Tudományos Akadémia
Founder's
Address		 H-1051 Budapest, Hungary, Széchenyi István tér 9.
Publisher Akadémiai Kiadó
Publisher's
Address		 H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 1516 Budapest, PO Box 245.
Responsible
Publisher		 Chief Executive Officer, Akadémiai Kiadó
ISSN 1788-6244 (Print)
ISSN 1789-2422 (Online)

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