The purpose of this thesis is to show through the presentation and analysis of authoritative information, and opinions drawn from the information and analysis, the development of violin technique from its basic rudiments as an accompanying instrument to the plane of a brilliant solo instrument, a position it still maintains today. This thesis aims to deal exclusively with the technical evolution of the violin. Many books on the history of the violin have been written, but none have dealt exclusively with the technical evolution of this instrument, and it is hoped that the materials in this thesis will constitute a contribution to this field.

The purpose of this study is to give some insight into the soprano role in Hgndel's operas in comparison to the other roles. From a total of forty operas written, thirty-eight have been published and will be considered in this thesis. There is a complete analysis of each soprano role, but only a few outstanding arias are discussed in detail. The study of the soprano role is preceded by a chapter on Handel's career, styles,and his operas today.