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.

Hande lâ??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.

(A cycle of spirituals). Composed by John Rutter (1945-). For mezzo-soprano voice solo, SATB choir, large orchestra/chamber orchestra. Mixed Voices. Vocal score. Duration 30 minutes. Published by Oxford University Press

Orchestra (Soli SATB, Coro SATB, 2 Fl, 2 Ob, 2 Clt, 2 Fg, 2 Cor, 2 Tr, 3 Trb, Timp, 2 Vl, Va, Vc, Cb) - Grade 2

SKU: CA.2300509

Dich preist, Allmächtiger. Composed by Albert Lortzing. Edited by Martin Helbich. Set of Orchestra Parts. Composed 1822. LoWV 5. Duration 14 minutes. Carus Verlag #2300509. Published by Carus Verlag (CA.2300509).

ISBN 9790007246877. Key: C major. German. Text: von Matthisson, Friedrich.

Today best known for his comic operas such as Zar und Zimmermann and Der Waffenschmied, Albert Lortzing was also a composer of sacred music. In 1822, inspired by the performances of great choral symphonic works at the Lower Rhine Music Festival, Lortzing, then aged only 21 years old, ventured to set a sacred anthem to music: In his Dich preist, Allmächtiger (Praise to you, Almighty) for four-part choir, soloists and orchestra, his love of opera shines through with memorable melodies, striking instrumentation and an expressive and diverse musical design that conjure up diverse scenes for the listener. The palette ranges from powerful wind passages praising God’s omnipotence to 'classical' fugati and intimate solo and ensemble passages with transparent accompaniment.

The Urtext edition – in fact the first printed version of the work – is based on autograph sources. Drawing on the preparatory work and practical experience of church musician and conductor Wolfgang Helbich, this edition was completed by his son, the musicologist Martin Helbich. Vocal score and performance materials are also available.

Opera in five acts. Composed by Charles Francois Gounod (1818-1893). Edited by Paul Prevost. Arranged by Karl- Heinz Muller. This edition: urtext edition. Paperback. Barenreiter Urtext. Version with recitatives. Vocal Score. Baerenreiter Verlag #BA08713-90. Published by Baerenreiter Verlag