orical themes and the use of devices for exploiting the virtuosity of the singers (Hogwood 51). Also true to the opera seria form, Handel often conveyed his dramatic themes by alternating between arias and recitatives. The recitatives give the narration of the story, while the arias provide emotional responses to the events of the story. In this way, the arias "exploit situations and emotional states" (Orrey & Milnes 61).
As a Baroque composer, Handel made effective use of rhythm, and "dance rhythms were an important impetus behind many of Handel's arias" (Wolff 141). He was also a great "melodist," capable of conveying powerful emotions through variations of "mood, shape, span, harmonic implication a
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