My Peopleevery Valley Shall Be Exalted Вђ” Handel Вђ” Messiah Вђ” Score- - 2-3. Comfort Ye

This movement is a , meaning the singer is supported by the full string section rather than just a harpsichord.

Following the somber E-minor Overture, George Frideric Handel’s Messiah (1741) opens the vocal narrative with a dramatic shift to , signaling a transition from darkness to divine promise. Movements 2 and 3 form a cohesive pair—an accompanied recitative followed by an air—that introduces the tenor soloist as a prophetic herald of the coming savior. 1. Movement No. 2: "Comfort ye my people" (Accompagnato) This movement is a , meaning the singer

: It is through-composed and organized into three main sections based on the text from Isaiah 40:1-3: Section 1 : God’s command to "comfort" his people. : Handel breaks traditional recitative rules by making

: Handel breaks traditional recitative rules by making the vocal line highly lyrical and songlike, which reinforces the "comforting" nature of the text. : While primarily in E Major

: Proclamation that Jerusalem's "warfare is accomplished" and iniquity is pardoned.

: The transition to the wilderness setting, marked by the iconic phrase "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness".

: While primarily in E Major , Handel employs modulations to B major (dominant) and A major (subdominant) to track the emotional shifts in the prophecy. 2. Movement No. 3: "Ev’ry valley shall be exalted" (Air)