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.

SATB vocal soli, SATB choir, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 contrabassoons, timpani, 2 violins, viola, basso continuo

SKU: CA.4094200

Composed by Antonio Salieri. Edited by Rudolf Kelber. This edition: Paperbound. German title: La Passione di Gesu Cristo. Sacred vocal music, Passions, Lent and Passiontide, Holy Week. Full score. Composed 1776. 272 pages. Duration 105 minutes. Carus Verlag #CV 40.942/00. Published by Carus Verlag (CA.4094200).

ISBN 9790007078423. Key: B flat major. Language: Italian. Text: Metastasio, Pietro. Text: Pietro Metastasio.

Pietro Metastasio's libretto to azione sacra La Passione di Gesu Cristo (1730) is a prototype for the Italian Catholic oratorio of the 18th century, in which the Biblical text is entirely transformed into free verse. Originally written for Antonio Caldara, the text has been set to music many times. However, the famous poet wrote in a letter to the 26-year-old composer that the setting, in the style of Italian Opera seria, was the most expressive music that has ever been written for this poem. German and English translations of the libretto are provided in this edition.

SATB vocal soli, SATB choir, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 contrabassoons, timpani, 2 violins, viola, basso continuo

SKU: CA.4094205

Composed by Antonio Salieri. Edited by Rudolf Kelber. Sacred vocal music, Passions, Lent and Passiontide, Holy Week. Choral Score. Composed 1776. 16 pages. Duration 105 minutes. Carus Verlag #CV 40.942/05. Published by Carus Verlag (CA.4094205).

ISBN 9790007078447. Key: B flat major. Language: Italian. Text: Metastasio, Pietro. Text: Pietro Metastasio.

Pietro Metastasio's libretto to azione sacra La Passione di Gesu Cristo (1730) is a prototype for the Italian Catholic oratorio of the 18th century, in which the Biblical text is entirely transformed into free verse. Originally written for Antonio Caldara, the text has been set to music many times. However, the famous poet wrote in a letter to the 26-year-old composer that the setting, in the style of Italian Opera seria, was the most expressive music that has ever been written for this poem. German and English translations of the libretto are provided in this edition. Score available separately - see item CA.4094200.

Dramma per musica in three Acts. Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791). Edited by Daniel Heartz. Arranged by Hans-Georg Kluge. This edition: urtext edition. Hardback. Barenreiter Urtext. Vocal score vokal. KV 366. Baerenreiter Verlag #BA04562- 93. Published by Baerenreiter Verlag