Biblioteca de la Guitarra y Cuerda Pulsada

Three central features of Baroque music encompass a large portion of questions about  the  performance  of  this  particular  repertory:  its  improvisatory  aspect,  the  use  of basso  continuo,  and  the  instrumental  color  and  variety.  Teorbo  and  lute  solos,  aside  of playing a role as a continuo, filled in the intermissions of oratorios in Italy since late 17th century, while organ concertos provided the same function for English oratorios in the early 18th century. It is from Handel's early period ‒ his first trip to Italy in 1707 ‒ that teorbo and  archiliuto  start  to  appear  in  his  vocal  music.  Handel  employed  either  the  teorbo  or archiliuto  (or  simply  liuto)  in  twelve  vocal  works  and  in  one  instrumental  Ouverture.   A complete examination of the circumstances that involve this particular aspect of Handel's music is the subject this paper.

Handel's use of plucked instruments