Question

the term \program music\ refers to a(n) ______.
vocal work written to meet a need in a scheduled program
concert that has a printed program
composition written to order for various programs in the church year
instrumental work that is in some way associated with a story, event, or idea

4 multiple choice 1 point
handels messiah differs from most of the oratorios because it ______.
was first performed while handel was in prison
does not really have characters or a plot, and also contains new testament material
is twice as long as any of the others
uses an orchestra

5 multiple choice 1 point
which of the following is a drawback of performing foreign-language operas in english?
audiences have no desire to hear operas in english.
sung english is impossible to understand because of all of the consonants and dialects.
english has too many options when it comes to rhyming.
it is difficult to create translations that retain the sense of the original language and mesh

Explanation:

Define program music

The first question asks for the definition of "program music". Applying our understanding of Program Music, we know it refers to instrumental music associated with a story, poem, idea, or scene, rather than being purely abstract (absolute music). Therefore, the correct choice is the option describing it as an instrumental work associated with a story, event, or idea.

Analyze Handel's Messiah

The second question (numbered 4) asks how Handel's Messiah differs from most other oratorios. Utilizing our knowledge of Messiah Structure, we recall that unlike most Baroque oratorios which feature dramatic characters acting out a biblical narrative (such as Samson or Saul), Messiah is reflective, lacks specific characters or a linear plot, and draws heavily from both the Old and New Testaments. Thus, the correct option is that it does not really have characters or a plot, and also contains New Testament material.

Evaluate foreign-language opera translation

The third question (numbered 5) asks about a drawback of performing foreign-language operas in English. Considering the challenges of Opera Translation, translating librettos is notoriously difficult because the translator must preserve the original meaning, poetic meter, and rhyme scheme while ensuring the translated words align naturally with the musical accents and vocal lines (meshing with the music). Therefore, the correct option is that it is difficult to create translations that retain the sense of the original language and mesh with the music.

Answer:

Question 1

• (A) vocal work written to meet a need in a scheduled program
• (B) concert that has a printed program
• (C) composition written to order for various programs in the church year
• (D) instrumental work that is in some way associated with a story, event, or idea (Correct answer)

Question 4

• (A) was first performed while Handel was in prison
• (B) does not really have characters or a plot, and also contains New Testament material (Correct answer)
• (C) is twice as long as any of the others
• (D) uses an orchestra

Question 5

• (A) Audiences have no desire to hear operas in English.
• (B) Sung English is impossible to understand because of all of the consonants and dialects.
• (C) English has too many options when it comes to rhyming.
• (D) It is difficult to create translations that retain the sense of the original language and mesh with the music (Correct answer)