Analysis of Handel's Admeto

Analysis of Handel's Admeto In the beginning of the 18th century opera seria developed into a vibrant art form, and took a center stage in operatic performance of London. As a genre, opera seria takes its themes from classical myths and literature, building on the musical standards developed throughout the Baroque period. Opera seria is built on a rigid structure of three acts in which the recitative and aria are performed in alternation. The dominant …

…through the medium of secco recitative, while the aria serves to explore the feelings of the character, and shows off the talents of the singer performing each one. By using melismatic singing, Handel works to further elicit emotions that reflect the musical ideas of this opera. In taking a closer look at the masterful use of Baroque ideas in Admeto, it is not hard to see how Handel rose to prominence on the operatic stage.