SKU: BA.BA04516-01
ISBN 9790006449521. 33 x 25.8 cm inches. Text Language: Latin. Text: P Rufinus Widl.
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MUSICOLOGICALLY SOUND - A reliable musical text based on all available sources - A description of the sources - Information on the genesis and history of the work - Valuable notes on performance practice - Includes an introduction with critical commentary explaining source discrepancies and editorial decisions ... AND PRACTICAL - Page-turns, fold-out pages, and cues where you need them - A well-presented layout and a user-friendly format - Excellent print quality - Superior paper and binding
SKU: BA.BA04025-01
ISBN 9790006443222. 33 x 26 cm inches. Text Language: English.
Handel??s ??Semele?, which premiered in February 1744, is based on an adapted version of William Congreve??s opera libretto titled ??The Story of Semele?, originally published in 1706. However, neither Handel nor his librettist referred to ??Semele? as an opera or an oratorio, which, according to the understanding at the time, would have required a biblical and/or Christian subject matter. Contemporary audiences also disagreed on the genre. The problematic classification as an oratorio has persisted into the present day, likely due to the edition labeled as such by Chrysander. The ??Halle Handel Edition? (HHA) distances itself from this classification and, considering the available sources, refrains from assigning a genre label.Congreve deviates from the mythological source multiple times in order to create tensions among the characters. The desired marriage between Semele and Athamas, whom she does not love, is an addition by Congreve to provoke the envy of her sister Ino, who desires Athamas herself. Therefore, Ino sees her own advantage in Semele??s abduction by Jupiter. While Jupiter??s wife Juno decides to destroy Semele out of jealousy for his relationship with her, Jupiter brings Ino to his palace to console Semele. The vengeful Juno takes advantage of Ino??s presence and transforms into her likeness, persuading Semele to carry out a plan that later proves fatal. In the end, Ino emerges as the winner, as she is able to convince their father, Cadmus, to marry her to Athamas. The appearance of Apollo in the final scene to announce that Semele??s immortal son Bacchus was saved from her ashes provides little consolation. However, this twist allows the drama to conclude with exuberant joy and a magnificent final chorus after the tragic scenes in the third act, culminating in the death of the protagonist.Handel??s autograph score shows significant deviations from and numerous revisions of the original version premiered. All surviving early versions, the musical movements deleted before the premiere, and the version of the December 1744, are given in the appendix to the HHA.
SKU: BA.BA04089
ISBN 9790006550081. 33 x 26 cm inches. Text Language: English. Text: Newburgh Hamilton.
The “Occasional Oratorio” was composed as a reaction to a political event which shook the whole of England : the Jacobite rebellion of 1745-46 against the Hanoverian monarchy was crushed under the leadership of the Duke of Cumberland. Handel, who was working on the oratorio “ Judas Maccabaeus” at the time, composed the oratorio quickly and reused some movements from earlier works. With the choice of a libretto by Newburgh Hamilton he demonstrated his support for the monarchy. The work was first performed on 14 February 1746 at the Covent Garden Theatre in London . For the first time this seldomly performed oratorio which nevertheless contains wonderful music is available in an Urtext edition based on the “ Halle Handel Edition” . All available sources have been consulted. Further movements which Handel added for later performances are included in the appendix.
