The Choice of Hercules (Handel)

The Choice of Hercules (Handel)

The Choice of Hercules (HWV 69) is an oratorio in one act (three scenes) by George Frideric Handel. Handel produced the score between 28 June and 5 July 1750. The first performance was given on 1 March 1751 at the Covent Garden Theatre, London. The libretto is probably the work of Thomas Morell.

The story centres on the need of a youthful Hercules to decide between the paths of pleasure and virtue. These are represented by two women who present their various arguments to Hercules, and his confusion is articulated in the trio "Where shall I go?". Even though it is not made clear which path Hercules chooses, it seems likely that Virtue wins the day as she orders him to follow her.Fact|date=April 2008

A typical performance takes almost 50 minutes.

The work includes the notable aria "Yet can I hear that dulcet lay".

Dramatis personae

* Hercules (alto)
* Pleasure (soprano)
* Virtue (soprano)
* An Attendant on Pleasure (tenor)
* Chorus

Movements

The work has the following movements:

Recordings

Hyperion Records label received the 2003 International Handel Recording Prize for their recording of "The Choice of Hercules". The cast included:

*Conductor: Robert King
*Pleasure: Susan Gritton
*Virtue: Alice Coote
*Hercules: Robin Blaze
*An Attendant on Pleasure: Charles Daniels
*The Choir of The King's Consort
*The King's Consort

Productions

The work was produced by Boston Cecilia at Jordan Hall, New England Conservatory, Boston on 5 November 2005.

External links

* Complete [http://opera.stanford.edu/iu/libretti/choice.htm Libretto] hosted by the University of Stanford.
* [http://www.bostoncecilia.org/prognotes/handel-choice.html Program notes] by Boston Cecilia.
* [http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/notes/67298.html Sleeve notes from the Hyperion recording]
* [http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2005/11/08/cecilia_opens_with_choice_handel/ Richard Dyer, Cecilia opens with 'Choice' Handel (review of Boston Cecilia production), "The Boston Globe", 8 November 2005]
* [http://gfhandel.org/recordingprize/2003.htm Review of Hyperion recording "gfhandel.org]


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