Abstract:
Music has been integral to society since the time of the ancient Greeks and can have an emotional effect on the performer and audience. George Frideric Handel was a composer who applied the concept of the doctrine of the affections to his da capo arias as part of his operatic compositions. This creative project shows the connection between the doctrine of the affections, expression, and Baroque da capo arias by considering two contrasting examples from Handel's opera repertoire. Through the explanation of Baroque ornamentation practices, the consideration of historical context relating to each opera, and the analysis of each character, both "Piangero la sorte mia" and "Tornami a vagheggiar" represent a clear showcase of Handel's compositional style as well as a strong connection to the doctrine of the affections. The resulting conclusions allow lovers of Baroque music and Handel to learn about this topic and for the other readers to find a newfound appreciation for a style of music that clearly represents a critical era in music history.
