In Handel's compositions, what role do choruses typically play?

In Handel's compositions, choruses typically enhance the emotional depth of the music. This is particularly evident in his oratorios, such as "Messiah," where choruses often express profound feelings, collective sentiments, and thematic elements that resonate with the listener. The choruses serve to elevate the emotional experience, drawing the audience into the work's dramatic and spiritual dimensions. They add a layer of communal expression that reflects the text's message, making it more impactful.

While choruses can occasionally lead narratives or provide interludes, their primary strength in Handel's works lies in their ability to convey emotion and unify the various elements of the composition. Also, the introduction of new characters is more characteristic of solo arias or recitatives, where individual voices take the forefront to tell a story, whereas choruses represent a more collective voice that enhances the overall emotional landscape.