Samson , an oratorio for soloists, mixed chorus and orchestra by George Frideric Handel, libretto by Newburgh Hamilton after Milton's Samson Agonistes . Edited by Donald Burrows. This latest addition to the Novello Handel Edition is the first complete, modern edition of the composer's longest oratorio, prepared after examination of all known contemporary sources, both music and word-books. The publication embodies the complete text known to have been performed at the Covent Garden premiere in 1743, as well as identifying the later shorter versions and additions performed regularly by Handel, and an Appendix of all further variants created by him and performed during his lifetime. It is thus a comprehensive and flexible edition for between four and eight soloists, with an abundance of choral writing and some of Handel's most sublime writing for voices. Includes an historical preface, extensive notes on the performance of the different versions and useful practical notes on the interpretation of Handel. / Chant Et Piano

John Dryden wrote two odes in honour of the patroness of music and musicians - A Song For St. Cecilia's Day , in 1687, and, in 1697, Alexander's Feast , both of which were subsequently set to music by Handel. A Song For St. Cecilia's Day proved so popular that it was performed six times during the winter of 1739-40, in spite of the fact that this was a 'hard winter'. Written for soprano and tenor soli, SATB chorus and orchestra, this edition contains all vocal parts and a piano accompaniment / Chant Et Piano