SKU: CA.3109419

ISBN 9790007136451. Key: D major. Language: German/English. Text: Kindermann, Balthasar. Text: Balthasar Kindermann.

Score and parts available separately - see item CA.3109400.

SKU: CA.3109407

ISBN 9790007046644. Key: D major. Language: German/English. Text: Kindermann, Balthasar. Text: Balthasar Kindermann.

Score available separately - see item CA.3109400.

SKU: CA.3109414

ISBN 9790007046699. Key: D major. Language: German/English. Text: Kindermann, Balthasar. Text: Balthasar Kindermann.

Score available separately - see item CA.3109400.

SKU: CA.3109413

ISBN 9790007046682. Key: D major. Language: German/English. Text: Kindermann, Balthasar. Text: Balthasar Kindermann.

Score available separately - see item CA.3109400.

SKU: TM.09308SC

FRAGMENTS - NOT COMPLETE. Incl: Prelude, Danse extatique et Final du Premier Act, La Passion, Le Bon Pasteur.

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.7006513

ISBN 9790007244705. Language: German.

In spring 1816 Franz Schubert, just nineteen years old, completed his second setting of the Stabat Mater in the midst of a highly productive period. In contrast with his first setting written the previous year, just five minutes in length, this time Schubert used the German translation by Klopstock as the basis for his composition. Stefan Schuck's edition is the first one of this work to be based on a critical evaluation of the primary sources, with complete performance material. The work, in a dark F minor, with its text by Klopstock, places Jesus Christ, rather than Mary, at the center of the contemplation. With his fugues, but particularly in the eight-part lamenting chorus Wer wird Zahren sanften Mitleids, Schubert shows himself at the height of his creative output. He composed his 4th Symphony, the Tragic, at almost the same time. The Stabat Mater is a rewarding work for choral societies and choirs to perform, because the choir has the largest portion to sing, and the choral parts are not too demanding. The composition is also a beautiful introduction to the choral-symphonic music of Schubert for less experienced choirs. Score and part available separately - see item CA.7006500.