Georg Frideric Händel?s Serse (Xerxes) has everything one would expect from a Baroque opera - many intertwining love stories affairs intrigues scheming misunderstanding and forgiving allpresented in the great master?s magnificent music.The opera is set in Persia in 480 BC and is very loosely based upon Xerxes I of Persia though there is little in either the Baroque libretto or music that is relevant tothat setting the main focus is on the characters (Serse Arsamene Amastre Romilda Atalanta Ariodate and Elviro some of which are based on real historical persons) and their plotting. The English version forthe opera in three acts was made for the English National Opera?s production first performed in 1985 on the 300th anniversary of Händel?s birth.In this edition of the Vocal score with the original Italian and thelater English lyrics accompaniment is provided by the instruments indicated in the orchestration (2 Recorders (or Flutes) 2 Oboes 2 Horns in F Trumpet in D Strings and Continuo [Harpsichord Cello Double Bass Bassoon]) butcan also be played by the Piano. Serse?s part originally sung by a castrato can be performed by a Soprano or a Countertenor.

Handel?s three anthems (My song shall be alway HWV 252 O come let us sing HWV 253 O praise the Lord HWV 254) were composed in 1717 and 1718 for Cannons a country estate near to London. They take their nickname the ? Chandos Anthems? from the owner of the estate the First Duke of Chandos .The three pieces are noteworthy for their festive character and their varied orchestral accompaniment. Handel borrows older material from his Italian period and his earlier works for the Chapel Royal in London a standard procedure for this composer who reused particularly successful pieces as starting points for his later works. The scoring for solo voices chorus oboe strings and continuo was tailored to the musical resources of the small country estate. Two additional recorders are needed for ?O come let us sing unto the Lord?.The anthems present the Urtext from the ?Halle Handel Edition? and include uncomplicated and easy-to-play piano reductions. In addition to the original English words the full scores and vocal scores also include a singing translation in German.?The clarity found in these Bärenreiter scores and the excellent keyboard reductions make them very attractive for performers.?(Church Music Quarterly Sept. 2008)

Handel?s three anthems (My Song Shall Be Alway HWV 252 O Come Let Us Sing HWV 253 O Praise The Lord HWV 254) were composed in 1717 and 1718 for Cannons a country estate near to London. They take their nickname the ?Chandos Anthems? from the owner of the estate the First Duke of Chandos.The three pieces are noteworthy for their festive character and their varied orchestral accompaniment. Handel borrows older material from his Italian period and his earlier works for the Chapel Royal in London a standard procedure for this composer who reused particularly successful pieces as starting points for his later works. The scoringfor solo Voices Chorus Oboe Strings and Continuo was tailored to the musical resources of the small country estate. Two additional recorders are needed for ?O Come Let Us Sing Unto The Lord?.The anthems present the Urtext from the ?Halle Handel Edition? and include uncomplicated and easy-to-play Piano reductions. In addition to the original English words the full scores and vocal scores also include a singing translation in German.