A Perspective: Religious Beliefs And Handel English Oratorio Style

Oratorio, which originated form Italy in the 16th century, is a music drama form. It is a large vocal type that expresses godliness by telling Bible stories. The music form includes solo, ensemble and chorus, but without scenes,titivations or acting when performed. Till the 17th century, Carissimi settled the basic form of oratorio,however,not until the 18th century, Handel's English oratorio work brought oratorio to its summit by fully promoting its art level and spirit meaning.The author believes that Handel's illustrious achievements in the field of oratorio is related with his living in England, also with its developments of the society,economy and politics, as well as the religious spirits during the first half of 18th century. Firstly,the special traditions of Anglicanism gestated advanced constitutional monarchy which was established after the capitalism revolution, and this polity accelerated the development of the rising capitalism economy and its colonial expanding abroad, gradually England established its international status and influence as the most powerful country in Europe, even in the world, and also boosted up the patriotic emotion and national consciousness of England people. Secondly, the Anglicanism's features of common customs,openness,compatibility and so on, fostered people a religious view including activeness,being among common people and struggling. This view influenced Handel much. Together with Handel's characters of diligence and pursuing personal success, also with his international experiences of living and learning, it helped Handel deeply cultivate the cultural characteristics of the nation and brought Zeitgeist and England spirit into his oratorio, from a special angle of"other culture". As the representative of England music, Handel's oratorios'mundane meaning,features of Homophonoc texture,grand and splendid atmosphere,the movements of performing places,the shift of the principal part of the audience from maharaja and aristocrats to common citizen and so on, all of these related to religious belief of English people in the 18th century.