HANDEL, George Frideric 1685-1759

The Most Celebrated Songs in the Oratorio Call'd Athalia. [HWV 52]. [Score]

London: Printed for & Sold by I. Walsh Musick Printer & Instrument maker to his Majesty at the Harp & Hoboy in Catherine Street in the Strand. No. 545, [ca. 1735].

Folio. Modern stiff marbled wrappers with dark red title label gilt to upper. 1f. (recto title, verso blank), 29, [i] (blank) pp. Engraved throughout.

Named singers include Sigra. Strada, Sigr. Carestini, Mr. Beard, The Boy, Miss Young, and Mr. Waltz.

Binding slightly worn and rubbed. Slightly worn and browned; occasional foxing and small stains; minor worming to blank lower margins, slightly heavier to first leaves; small hole to blank outer margin of several leaves and long vertical tear to one leaf repaired with archival tape without loss.

First Edition, probable first issue. Scarce. Smith p. 97, no. 1. BUC p. 433 (dated 1733). RISM H506 and HH 506.

Athalia, to a libretto by Samuel Humphreys (ca. 1698-1738) based on Racine's eponymous play, was first performed in Oxford at the Sheldonian Theatre on 10 July 1733 and in London at Covent Garden on 1 April 1735. It was the composer's third oratorio in English.

It is regarded as "the first great English oratorio." Dean: Handel's Dramatic Oratorios and Masques, p. 247.

Item #39696

Price: $1,800.00  other currencies