SKU: BA.BA04025-01

ISBN 9790006443222. 33 x 26 cm inches. Text Language: English.

Handelâ??s â??Semeleâ?, which premiered in February 1744, is based on an adapted version of William Congreveâ??s opera libretto titled â??The Story of Semeleâ?, originally published in 1706. However, neither Handel nor his librettist referred to â??Semeleâ? 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 â??Halle Handel Editionâ? (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 Semeleâ??s abduction by Jupiter. While Jupiterâ??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 Inoâ??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 Semeleâ??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.

Handelâ??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: CA.5527919

ISBN 9790007293062. German/English.

Handel's Utrecht Jubilate HWV 279 enthralled London audiences right from its first performance, and it continues to do so today in concert halls and churches all over the world, thanks to the wide range of occasions when it can be performed. It was performed for the first time in a festive service on 7 July 1713 at St. Paul's Cathedral to celebrate the Peace marking the end of the twelve year-long War of the Spanish Succession. The Utrecht Te Deum and Jubilate were Handel's first sacred works in English and important milestones at the beginning of his London career.
The edition is based on Handel's autograph (which unfortunately does not survive) and on a copy from Handel's circle, which in some respects provides more information than the autograph and contains important details for this edition. In 1717 Handel revised the Jubilate in a smaller scoring for the ensemble at Cannons (HWV 246) and preceded it with a two-part Sinfonia which is also reproduced in the Appendix to this edition.
The chorus is mainly scored in four parts, and is in eight parts in just one short movement. In two other movements the soprano part divides. The second alto solo part can also be sung by a high tenor.
Score and parts available separately - see item CA.5527900.