Messiah occupies a unique position in Handel’s work. Even if it does not represent the absolute zenith several other oratorios could challenge it in this respect its strongly universal character and directness of expression which appeal to men of all creeds make it the most renowned work in the whole of the composer’s monumental output.That this oratorio is unquestionably a work of individual character is shown by all its features: its material which presents liturgical traditions alongside popular elements; its structure which combines an ever-changing variety of elements from opera cantata concerto and anthem; its musicalorganization which at once unifies and dramatically juxtaposes the various styles. All are united in an extraordinary manner with great artistry most accomplished technique and superb invention.Urtext of the Halle Handel EditionFull score and performance material (BA4012) vocal score (BA4012-73 English; BA4012-90 English-German) and study score format 22.5 x 16.5cm (TP175) available for sale.

Handel?s masterpiece Messiah the most frequently performed of his choral works composed in 1741. An inspiring sacred oratorio with spontaneous melodies and bright orchestration from the first aria Every Valley Shall Be Exalted to the thunderous final Amen chorus. Complete full score edited by Alfred Mann.

Oper in Funf Akten Version 1756. Par RAMEAU JEAN-PHILIPPE. Richer than ever ? Rameau?s ?Zoroastre? in the version of 1756. Opera in five acts. Rameau?s revised version of his opera ?Zoroastre?, which could be heard and seen between 20 January 1756 and 26 March 1757 at the Académie royale de musique, was favourably received. Also from today?s point of view the work profits dramaturgically from many of the changes and seems altogether richer and more tightly woven than the original of 1749. The subject matter of the libretto, derived from Ancient Persian sources, is timeless: the struggle between good and bad. The good is embodied by the religious reformer Zoroastre, a representative of the supreme light being Orosmade. He is opposed by the ambitious magician Abramane who serves Ariman, the spirit of the dark. The opera includes some of Rameau?s most ecstatic and spiritual musical numbers, such as the episode of sun worship in Act 3 with the sublime ?Hymne à la Lumière?, which, for unknown reasons, was not integrated in the revision of 1756. It is therefore included in Appendix 3 of this Bärenreiter edition. Incidentally, with ?Zoroastre? the prologue, wh ich had been customary since the beginnings of French opera in the 1670s, was abandoned. Instead Rameau was the first to introduce an overture which set the scene for the entire drama and thereby anticipated Gluck?s opera reform by many years. - One of Rameau?s main works for the stage, now available with all its versions - With a straight-forward piano reduction in the vocal score by François Saint-Yves - Available on sale full score (B0A8867-01) and vocal score (BA08867-90) - Performance material available for hire BA08867-72 - Jean-Philippe Rameau - Opera Omnia (OOR) IV/26 / Date parution : 2022-07-30/ Répertoire / Chant et Piano

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.

A chamber opera in one act for soprano tenor baritone and bass soli TTBB chorus and orchestra commissioned for the Wells 800 Celebration in 1982. Libretto by Peter Porter. Vocal score with piano reduction. Duration: c. 55minutes.Orpheus is a Chamber Opera or perhaps more properly might be described as an ‘Opera-Cantata’. It is designed to be performed as a short opera fully staged and costumed or as a concert piece. Either way itsstructure is dramatic rather than reflective. It tells the story of Orpheus probably the most familiar story in music and en emblem of their art for composers of all periods as a direct narrative. Since the legend is set inthe world of pagan mythology it has been lightly Christianised for its Church setting. The Aeneid has often been seen as speaking of Christ avant la lettre and Renaissance Humanists were always willing to identify forerunnersof Christian types in Classical personages: in this manner Orpheus pursues without undue emphasis musical parallels with St Francis St Cecilia and even Adam and Eve.The work is framed briefly by a prologue and epilogue. ThePrologue introduces the four solo singers Hades (bass) Orpheus (tenor) Eurydice (soprano) and Charon (baritone). It also introduces the chorus who do not only portray at various stages Orpheus’s wedding companions thedenizens of Hell and Blessed Spirits in the Elysian Fields but also comments on the action as it proceeds.

Acts 1 2 and 3-The second in Glass' trilogy about men who changed the world Satyagraha's sub-text is politics. The opera is semi-narrative in form and deals with Mahatma Gandhi's early years in South Africa and his development of non-violentprotest into a political tool. (Satyagraha is a Sanskrit word meaning 'truth force'). The first two acts each contain three scenes; the last is one continuous scene. Each act is dominated by a single historic figure (non-singingrole) overlooking the action from above: the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore in Act I the Russian author Leo Tolstoy in act II the American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in Act III

Lucio Silla K. 135Dramma per musica in three actsOn 13 December 1769 Leopold Mozart and his son Wolfgang set out on their first tour of Italy. It was not until 28 March 1771 that they finally returned to Salzburg. The trip brought the young composer two commissions for opere serie. In March 1770 he was commissioned to write Mitridate K.87 (74a) for the 1770–71 Carneval season at the Regio Ducal Teatro in Milan. Mozart started work on the opera in Bologna on 29 September 1770 and the première duly took place on the Feast of St. Stephen (26 December) in 1770. The second Lucio Silla (K. 135) again commissioned for the 1771–72 Carneval season inMilan doubtless resulted from the success of Mitridate. News of the commission reached the Mozarts in March 1771 in Verona where they had stopped on their return to Salzburg. (At roughly the same time Wolfgang received an invitation from Vienna to supply a serenata teatrale for the wedding of Archduke Ferdinand the third son of Maria Theresia scheduled to take place in Milan in October 1771. This invitation ultimately resulted in Ascanio in Alba K. 111.)- Urtext of the New Mozart Edition- Full score (BA4590-01) and vocal score (BA4590-90) available for sale- Performance material (BA4590-72) available for hire

The libretto for Giuseppe Verdi's 'Rigoletto' was adapted by Francesco Maria Piave from Victor Hugo's play Le roi s'amuse which was so controversial it had been banned in Paris after one performance. Le roi here isthe Duke a renowned womaniser who seduces ladies as their husbands are taunted by his hunchback jester Rigoletto. An elderly nobleman Monterone curses them both for seducing his daughter and Ceprano whose wife has been withthe Duke plots with the courtiers to punish him.Rigoletto is suspected of keeping a mistress so while Rigoletto is out the Duke slips into his house and finding Rigolettoâ??s daughter Gilda he proffers his love to herand she is smitten. After he leaves the courtiers break in and carry off Gilda to the Dukeâ??s bedchamber. Soon Rigoletto enters and realises the mistake just in time as the dishevelled Gilda runs in. As Monterone is led to thedungeon Rigoletto vows to avenge them both. Rigoletto pays the assassin Sparafucile to murder the Duke as his sister Maddalena flirts with him. However Maddalena persuades her brother to kill not the Duke but the nextvisitor to the inn instead so overhearing and resolving to sacrifice herself for the Duke Gilda enters the inn and is stabbed. Rigoletto finds Gilda dying and begging forgiveness: Monterone's curse is fulfilled.This isthe Schirmer edition of the Libretto in the original Italian with an English version by Ruth and Thomas Martin.

Song For The Duke Of Gloucester's Birthday 1695 (Full Score)-Henry Purcell (1659-1695) held numerous appointments at the Royal court and Westminster Abbey and is considered by many to be the greatest ever English-born composer. His prolific work covered all fields: orchestral ecclesiastical operatic theatrical incidental and chamber music were all enriched by his output.One of Purcell’s last pieces Who Can From Joy Refrain? (Z 342) was written for the 6th birthday of Prince William Duke of Gloucester in June 1695. The Prince was said to enjoy the brash tone of the Trumpet so the prominent Trumpet part was written especially for him. Unusually Purcell also made use of therecently-introduced Oboe and Bassoon.A real asset to the catalogue A Song For The Duke Of Gloucester's Birthday showcases the very best of Purcell’s genius.