Solo Voices, Mixed Chorus, Orchestra (2Sg-Soprano solo,3Sg-A-solo,Contralto Solo,Sg-Baritone-solo,Orch,BnMusik)

SKU: BA.BA10720-01

Opera in three Acts. Composed by George Frideric Handel. Edited by Hans Dieter Clausen. This edition: complete edition, urtext edition. Linen. Hallische Handel-Ausgabe (HHA) II/14,1+2. Complete edition, Score. HWV 17. Baerenreiter Verlag #BA10720_01. Published by Baerenreiter Verlag (BA.BA10720-01).

ISBN 9790006550302. 33 x 26.5 cm inches. Text Language: Italian. Preface: Hans Dieter Clausen. Text: Haym, Nicola Francesco (nach Giacomo Francesco Bussani).

Giulio Cesare in Egittois by far Handel's most frequently performed opera owing its success not least to its subject matter, one of the best known love stories in world history. Already during Handel's lifetime the popular work was often staged and therefore adapted by Handel for each of the performance conditions. The editor Hans Dieter Clausen has succeeded in editorially defining and practically presenting these adaptations - essentially four versions - on the basis of a meticulous study of the sources within the framework of theHalle Handel Edition. The new edition allows for a performance of each of the four versions. The version of 1725 is particularly noteworthy because Handel newly devised the role of Sesto for the famous tenor Francesco Borosini.

The libretto shows the Roman dictator Cesar in a friendly light. He instructs his enemy, the Egyptian tyrant Tolomeo, how to treat adversaries; he reconciles the widow and son of his enemy Pompeo who was murdered by Tolomeo; he is generous and just, hands on, but also diplomatic, thoughtful, aware of the limits of his power, and susceptible for art and nature. However, the actual protagonist of the opera is Cleopatra. In a masterly way Handel develops her character musically.

In his extensive Foreword Hans Dieter Clausen not only decribes the genesis, historical background, reception and the edition of the opera, he also examines the musical and dramaturgical reworking of individual numbers inGiulio Cesare. Handel was such an expert in adapting arias for new purposes and other characters that he did not only meet the needs at hand but often the new version surpassed the original. In this way, the reader gains, in passing, a well-founded insight into Handel's work methods when designing and redevising his characters. The detailed Critical Commentary includes information on the comprehensive and highly complex source situation as well as on individual editorial decisions.

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2 solo soprano voices/solo mezzo-soprano voice/4 solo tenor voices/2 solo baritone voices/6 solo bass voices/SSTTBB choir/orchestra (2 Sop, Mezz, 4Ten, 2 Bar, 6Bass Solos, Mixed choir: SSTTBB, Fl-Picc, 2 Fl, 2 Ob(2 EnglHn), 2 clarinet(clarinet-B), 2 tn, Op or Tb, Tim, Tr-B, Be, Tr, Tri, Gl, 2 vln, Vla, Cello, DB, Buhnenmusik: 2 Fl, 2 Ob, 2 clar, 2 bsn, Tri)

SKU: BA.BA08703

Grand Opera in three acts. Composed by Edouard Lalo. Edited by Hugh MacDonald, Paul Prévost, and Vincent Giroud. This edition: complete edition, urtext edition. Linen. L'Opera francais. Complete edition, Score. Baerenreiter Verlag #BA08703_00. Published by Baerenreiter Verlag (BA.BA08703).

ISBN 9790006530465. 33 x 27 cm inches. Text Language: French. Preface: Prévost, Paul / Macdonald, Hugh.

Edouard Lalo composed two operas: “Le Roi d’Ys” enjoyed considerable success at its first performance at the Opera-Comique in 1888, and it remained in the repertory for many years.
His other opera, “Fiesque”, on the other hand, had to wait nearly 140 years before it was performed in a concert version in Montpellier in 2006, and then was finally premiered on stage at the National Theatre Mannheim on 16 June 2007.
Fiesque is an opera of action and intrigue, set in Genoa in 1547 and based on Schiller’s early drama “Die Verschwörung des Fiesco zu Genua”. The historical Fiesco led a conspiracy against the ruling Doria family, Doges of Genoa. The plot revolves around Fiesque’s love for Julie, daughter of his enemy Andreas Doria, and his wife Lonore’s bitter suspicion. Fiesque is also opposed by Verrina, an old fanatical republican who distrusts Fiesque’s commitment to overthrowing the Dorias, especially when his involvement with Doria’s daughter is known. In the final act the Dorias are overthrown; the crowd acclaims Fiesque and Lonore in a triumphal march, but Verrina refuses to allow Fiesque to assume supreme power and throws him to his death in the waters of harbour.

Lalo’s invention is remarkable, and the orchestral writing is at times powerful, at times poignant. Its revival adds a remarkable work to the repertory of French operas.

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