How did Handel respond to opera reform, according to the material?

• A. By rejecting da capo arias
• B. By returning to simple continuo
• C. By selecting drama or comedy for operas
• D. By writing more instrumental music

Answer: (C)

Opera reform stressed making the drama feel natural and emotionally engaging, pushing composers to let the drama drive the music rather than rely on flashy, stand-alone arias. Handel answered by embracing variety in his operas, choosing dramatic or comic avenues to suit each story and character. This meant he wasn’t tied to one rigid serious style; he could heighten tragic intensity or insert lighter, comic moments to keep the plot lively and relatable. His approach helped audiences connect with the action and emotions on stage, showing a flexible response to reform that valued how drama unfolds over time. The other ideas—strictly dropping da capo arias, returning to a simpler continuo, or focusing on instrumental music—don’t capture this blend of dramatic and comic treatment Handel used to shape his operas.