TR
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Music and Propaganda: An Analysis of the Oratorio Juditha Triumphans Devicta Holofernis Barbarie
Abstract
Propaganda is a method of communication designed to incite a particular discourse, action, or ritual via a symbolic object. Throughout history, there has been a strong link between music and propaganda. This study argues that music can function as propaganda, conveying a particular message through symbolic and emotional components. To this end, Antonio Vivaldi’s oratorio Juditha Triumphans Devicta Holofernis Barbarie (“Judith’s Triumph Over the Barbarian Holofernis,” Juditha Triumphans henceforth) will be examined in light of its function as political propaganda. Vivaldi was commissioned to write the oratorio following the Republic of Venice’s successful expulsion of the Ottoman Empire from the island of Corfu, and this study examines the work as a symbolic political structure. To this end, Juditha Triumphans is evaluated qualitatively through semiotic analysis and hermeneutic techniques. The existing literature on the subject in Türkiye and the rest of the world has examined Juditha Triumphans through the lenses of art history, theology, and musicology, but this study is unique in its analysis of the work through the lens of communication science. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that music can serve as meaningful propaganda, promote a particular social order, and reflect reality in fiction.
Keywords
Supporting Institution
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Project Number
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Ethical Statement
Çalışma etik kurul onayı gerektirmemektedir.
Thanks
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References
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- Aziz, A. (2007). Siyasal iletişim [Political communication]. (2nd edition). Nobel Yayınları.
- Bektaş, A. (2007). Kamuoyu, iletişim ve demokrasi [Public opinion, communication and democ-racy]. Bağlam Yayınları.
- Bernardini, P. (2010). Judith in the Italian unification process, 1800–1900. In K. Brine, E. Cilet-ti, & H. Lähnemann (Eds.), The Sword of Judith (pp. 397–410). Open Book Publishers.
- Bernays, E. L. (1928). Manipulating public opinion: The why and the how. American journal of sociology, 33(6), 958–971. https://doi.org/10.1086/214599
- Boston Baroque. (n.d.). Antonio Vivaldi: Juditha triumphans devicta Holofernis barbarie RV 644. Retrieved January 05, 2025 from https://baroque.boston/vivaldi-juditha
- Brine, K. R. (2010). The Judith project. In K. R. Brine, E. Ciletti, & H. Lähnemann (Eds.) The Judith Sword (pp. 3–22). Open Book Publishers.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Communication Studies
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
June 11, 2026
Submission Date
February 25, 2025
Acceptance Date
November 14, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Number: 49
APA
Çokluk, N., & Atay, T. (2026). Music and Propaganda: An Analysis of the Oratorio Juditha Triumphans Devicta Holofernis Barbarie. Türkiye İletişim Araştırmaları Dergisi, 49, 273-294. https://doi.org/10.17829/turcom.1646652
AMA
1.Çokluk N, Atay T. Music and Propaganda: An Analysis of the Oratorio Juditha Triumphans Devicta Holofernis Barbarie. TURCOM. 2026;(49):273-294. doi:10.17829/turcom.1646652
Chicago
Çokluk, Nil, and Tülay Atay. 2026. “Music and Propaganda: An Analysis of the Oratorio Juditha Triumphans Devicta Holofernis Barbarie”. Türkiye İletişim Araştırmaları Dergisi, nos. 49: 273-94. https://doi.org/10.17829/turcom.1646652.
EndNote
Çokluk N, Atay T (June 1, 2026) Music and Propaganda: An Analysis of the Oratorio Juditha Triumphans Devicta Holofernis Barbarie. Türkiye İletişim Araştırmaları Dergisi 49 273–294.
IEEE
[1]N. Çokluk and T. Atay, “Music and Propaganda: An Analysis of the Oratorio Juditha Triumphans Devicta Holofernis Barbarie”, TURCOM, no. 49, pp. 273–294, June 2026, doi: 10.17829/turcom.1646652.
ISNAD
Çokluk, Nil - Atay, Tülay. “Music and Propaganda: An Analysis of the Oratorio Juditha Triumphans Devicta Holofernis Barbarie”. Türkiye İletişim Araştırmaları Dergisi. 49 (June 1, 2026): 273-294. https://doi.org/10.17829/turcom.1646652.
JAMA
1.Çokluk N, Atay T. Music and Propaganda: An Analysis of the Oratorio Juditha Triumphans Devicta Holofernis Barbarie. TURCOM. 2026;:273–294.
MLA
Çokluk, Nil, and Tülay Atay. “Music and Propaganda: An Analysis of the Oratorio Juditha Triumphans Devicta Holofernis Barbarie”. Türkiye İletişim Araştırmaları Dergisi, no. 49, June 2026, pp. 273-94, doi:10.17829/turcom.1646652.
Vancouver
1.Nil Çokluk, Tülay Atay. Music and Propaganda: An Analysis of the Oratorio Juditha Triumphans Devicta Holofernis Barbarie. TURCOM. 2026 Jun. 1;(49):273-94. doi:10.17829/turcom.1646652