Orlando

Premiered in London in 1733, Handel’s “magic opera” “Orlando” is based on a libretto by Carlo Sigismondo Capeci that derives indirectly from Ludovico Ariosto’s epic poem “Orlando furioso”. This subject was very popular at the time and was frequently set to music, e.g. by Jean-Baptiste Lully, Agostino Steffani and Joseph Haydn. The title role of Orlando is the last one that Handel wrote for the celebrated castrato Senesino. Several stunning stage effects intended to illustrate Zoroastro’s sorcery call for sophisticated baroque stage machinery.

The vocal score has been adapted and carefully amended in keeping with the revision of the complete edition volume. The engraving and presentation of the former vocal score (BA 4027-90) have also been meticulously revised in many details. However the pagination stays the same so that both vocal scores are compatible with each other. A new Foreword in two languages (Eng/Ger) is also included in the edition.

• Urtext edition based on the “Halle Handel Edition” • With a singable translation in German • Adapted in keeping with the revised score • Comprehensive bilingual Foreword (Eng/Ger) • Idiomatic piano reduction

Orchestral scoring: S-solo, 2Mez-solo, A-solo, B-solo / 2,2,0,1 – 2,0,0,0 – Str(3V,2Va) – Bassi(Vc,Violone[Kb],Fag,Erzlaute,Cemb)

Detailed instrumentation: Soprano solo, Mezzo-soprano solo (2), Alto solo, Bass solo, Orchestra