S(A)TB vocal soli, SATB choir, flute, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, horns, 2 trumpets, timpani, basso continuo

SKU: CA.2921409

Oratorio in three parts. Composed by George Frideric Handel. Edited by Friedrich Chrysander, Helmut Bornefeld, and Matthias Wamser. 1x 29.214/21 flute, 1x 29.214/22 oboe 1, 1x 29.214/23 oboe 2, 2x 29.214/24 2 bassoons, 1x 29.214/31 horn, 1x 29.214/32 trumpet 1, 1x 29.214/33 trumpet 2, 1x 29.214/41 timpani. L'Allegro Il Penseroso /Ed.Bornefeld. Sacred vocal music, Oratorios. Set of Orchestra Parts. Composed 1740. HWV 55. 86 pages. Carus Verlag #CV 29.214/09. Published by Carus Verlag (CA.2921409).

ISBN 9790007203849. Language: German/English. Text: Milton, John / Jennens, Charles. Text: John Milton, Charles Jennens.

The two John Milton poems, L'Allegro (cheerfulness), and Il Pensi eroso (melancholy), describe the differences between these two moods. Charles Jennens fashioned a libretto from these texts, adding a third part entitled Moderato (moderation). From the first performance the oratorio was already a great success, a success which continued in later years. This edition is a revised reprint of Friedrich Chrysander's edition. The vocal score and the German singing text are by Helmut Bornefeld. Score and parts available separately - see item CA.2921400.

Soloists, Mixed choir, Orchestra

SKU: BA.BA04025-01

Composed by George Frideric Handel. Edited by Georg-Friedrich-Händel-Gesellschaft e. V. Risinger and Mark. This edition: Complete edition. Linen. Complete edition, Score. HWV 58. Baerenreiter Verlag #BA04025-01. Published by Baerenreiter Verlag (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.