内容

目次

Introduction; Part I. English Origins of English Oratario: 1. Artisticnorms; 2. The purpose of art; 3. Music, morals and religion; 4. The biblicalsublime; 5. The survival of the epic; 6. The defence of Christianity; 7.Towards oratorio; Part II. The Patriot Libretto from the Excise Bill to theJew Bill: Israelite Oratarios and English Politics: 8. Political events andpolitical thought; 9. Allegorical politics; 10. Moral politics; 11. Esther toAthalia; 12. In time of war; 13. Images of government; 14. The conflict ofpublic and private interests; 15. Coda: the end of Handel's Israeliteoratorios; Appendices; Notes; Index.