Opera in three acts-“Almira” Handel’s first opera was well received when premiered in 1705 at the Theater am Gänsemarkt in Hamburg. The director was Reinhard Keiser who remarkably had himself already set Friedrich Christian Feustking’s text to music. The role of Fernando was sung by Johann Mattheson. The translation used by Handel leaves several Italian arias in their original language resulting in a delightful mixture of German and Italian.The opera which after sundry entangled romances ends in the wedding of three couples is characterised by exuberant scenes: the procession at Almira’scrowning ceremony a duel a prison scene and a masked-ball involving the three continents Europe Africa and Asia.The vocal score to “Almira” by George Frideric Handel brings about a small sensation: Whilst conducting a reenactment of this work in 1732 Georg Philipp Telemann removed the Aria no. 28 “Ingrato spietato” from his conducting score. Since then this aria has been deemed lost. Due to necessity only the edited vocal text devoid of any music was presented in the 1994 volume of the “Halle Handel Edition”.Thanks to a recently discovered contemporary manuscript copy from the beginning of the 18th century which was found in the music library of the Mariengymnasium in Jever this aria has now been made available to performers for the first time in this new vocal score edition. Previous to this the corresponding pages could only be seen as a facsimile in an article of the “Göttinger Händel-Beiträge”.Now the aria can be performed again. Furthermore with the help of this new source missing measures in the basso continuo which had initially been completed by the editor of the “Halle Handel Edition” volume could be reconstructed from the basso continuo part of the Bellante aria “Ich brenne zwar” (no. 71).- Urtext edition based on the “Halle Handel Edition”- Original German and Italian text with a German translation of the Italian arias

Arminio-Antonio Salvi’s “Arminio” is one of the best-loved operatic librettos of the Baroque period.Against the historical background of the so-called “Battle of the Teutoburg Forest” in 9 AD in which the Cherusci leader Arminius as “Liberator of Germany” (Tacitus) inflicted a devastating defeat on the Romans Handel’s opera first performed in 1737 is about the disputes between the Chatti and the Cherusci. Arminius has married the daughter of his arch-enemy Segestes. When he is imprisoned Segestes who has conspired with the Romans sees his opportunity for revenge.- Urtextedition based on the “Halle Handel Edition”- Libretto in Italian with singable German translation- Comprehensive foreword (Ger/Eng) with important information on the history of the libretto as well as on the genesis and the performance history of the work. A detailed resume of the plot is also contained.- Extensive appendix with richly ornamented versions of two arias- Idiomatic piano reduction in the vocal score- Full score (BA4100) and vocal score (BA4100-90) available for sale- Performance material (BA4100-72) for hire

Tolomeo was Handel?s last opera for the Royal Academy of Music in London. Composed between March and 19 April 1728 it was premiered on 30 April. Handel revived the opera several times further: in 1730 in an extensive revision with seven performances and in 1733 with four performances.The historical background is the dispute between Cleopatra III and her younger son Ptolemaio X Alexander I ( Tolomeo ). In 110 BC Cleopatra drove Tolomeo out of Egypt. She died irreconciled to him in 101 BC.The new vocal score is based on the ?Halle Handel Edition?. The main part contains the version from the premiere. The extensiveappendix also enables later versions to be performed.Based on the Urtext of the Halle Handel Edition.Thoroughly revised practical performing vocal score.Italian text with German singing translation.Detailed foreword in two languages (German/English).Also available: full score and performance material to hire.