The cover of this exceedingly British release promises something more than you actually get, but it does offer some unusual items for the confirmed Handel lover. As well, it offers any listener a taste of the world of arrangements in which Baroque music circulated after it had fulfilled its intended function. You may wonder how you managed to miss Handel's English cantatas for all these years. It's because he didn't actually write any; the three cantatas for soprano, alto, and small ensemble (two violins and continuo) ...
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The cover of this exceedingly British release promises something more than you actually get, but it does offer some unusual items for the confirmed Handel lover. As well, it offers any listener a taste of the world of arrangements in which Baroque music circulated after it had fulfilled its intended function. You may wonder how you managed to miss Handel's English cantatas for all these years. It's because he didn't actually write any; the three cantatas for soprano, alto, and small ensemble (two violins and continuo) appearing on these two discs consist of arias, many in the pastoral mode, from three Handel operas (Flavio, Ottone, and Giulio Cesare) retexted in English by an unknown author, presumably not Handel himself, whose grasp of English, probably his fourth langauge, was shaky. The texts are new, not translations of the original arias. All are about love and flirtation, often drawing on mythological sources. They have a doggerel-like quality in spots ("Strephon, cease, no more pursue me; should...
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Seller's Description:
Good. This item has very light surface scratches that do not affect the use of the disc/s. This is a USED item and case may have light wear. All items unless otherwise noted will include disc, case, and artwork. Codes have been used. Other contents such as booklets may vary, please inquire for details. All items ship Monday-Friday within 2-3 business days.