An Opera for schools which has been devised from Mozart's Magic Flute by Raymond Walker and William Beamont.

Georg Frideric Händel?s Serse (Xerxes) has everything one would expect from a Baroque opera - many intertwining love stories affairs intrigues scheming misunderstanding and forgiving allpresented in the great master?s magnificent music.The opera is set in Persia in 480 BC and is very loosely based upon Xerxes I of Persia though there is little in either the Baroque libretto or music that is relevant tothat setting the main focus is on the characters (Serse Arsamene Amastre Romilda Atalanta Ariodate and Elviro some of which are based on real historical persons) and their plotting. The English version forthe opera in three acts was made for the English National Opera?s production first performed in 1985 on the 300th anniversary of Händel?s birth.In this edition of the Vocal score with the original Italian and thelater English lyrics accompaniment is provided by the instruments indicated in the orchestration (2 Recorders (or Flutes) 2 Oboes 2 Horns in F Trumpet in D Strings and Continuo [Harpsichord Cello Double Bass Bassoon]) butcan also be played by the Piano. Serse?s part originally sung by a castrato can be performed by a Soprano or a Countertenor.

The fifteenth full Opera from the prolific Hans Werner Henze and the first to feature a self-penned libretto. After the poems he wrote for his Songs from the Arabian Henze has produced this unusal tale through adaptingboth Arab and Persian legends and invoking the same half-real half-imaginary Arabia as the song cycle. The story itself is a fairy tale comedy with much in common with The Magic Flute. The orchestral arrangement is huge featuring quadruple wind five percussionists and a part for tape.

This outstanding volume features a rich selection of the composer's greatest overtures: Idomeneo (K.366); The Abduction from the Seraglio (K.384); The Marriage of Figaro (K.492); Don Giovanni (K.527); Così Fan Tutte (K.588); The Magic Flute (K.620); and La Clemenza di Tito (K.621). All reproduced in full score from authoritative early editions. Content : OVERTURES TO THE OPERAS Idomeneo Idomeneo, rè di Creta / Idomeneus, King of Crete Die Entführung aus dem Serail The Abduction from the Seraglio Le Nozze di Figaro Die Hochzeit des Figaro / The Marriage of Figaro Don Giovanni Il dissoluto punito, ossia II Don Giovanni / Don Juan Così fan Tutte . . . ossia La scuola degli amanti / Weibertreue Die Zauberflöte The Magic Flute La Clemenza di Tito The Clemency of Titus