Mezzo-soprano
Scarlatti's two Cantate Pastorale - 'Non so qual più m'ingobra' (edited by Rosalind Halton) and 'O di Betlemme...' (edited by James Sanderson)
Collected in one edition which saves you £££. Each edition comes with parts and combined score.
See individual titles for further details...
Editor: Rosalind Halton & James Sanderson
'Filli che fra gl'orrori di notte si tranquilla'
Outpourings of the lover to Filli in the quiet of night. A concise yet heartfelt composition, dated 1706, for low-mezzo soprano and unison violins: an ideal introduction to the art of singing with an obligato part in Scarlatti's style.
Vocal range: d'-f''
Editor: Rosalind Halton
Source: BL Add 14165 ff202r - 217v
Scarlatti's beautiful narrative Christmas Cantata, made up of introduzzione (allegro/[pastorale]), recitative, andante, recitative, andante, recitative, pastorale.
Range: c - a''
Editor: James Sanderson
'Non sò qual più m'ingombra': the first published modern edition with parts of 'the other' Christmas solo cantata, based, with kind permission, on the autograph score in the Deutsche Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin.
The low soprano range of the vocal part lends itself to performance by various voice types, e.g. mezzo soprano or countertenor. The work opens with a masterly accompanied recitative on the wonder of the Christmas story. The two arias beautifully contrast Scarlatti's most ornate 'modern' style with the simplicity of the final Siciliano, with its message of peace to the whole world.
Range: d'-e''
Editor: Rosalind Halton
Source: British Library Zweig 76
This is an autograph work dated October 31. 1716.
In four sections, recit-aria-recit-aria with both recits accompanied. It has two exquisite arias, the last a particularly fine Siciliano. The text deals with unrequited, requited and then spurned love and has it's high point in the last aria: 'Why cruel one do you leave me? Why spurn me? Why betray me? Why search out a new love? Why leave me?'
Range: c' - e'' flat
Editor: James Sanderson
Source: BL Add MS 64960
Formerly owned by Maria Ducarel, recorded (f. ii verso) as a gift to her from George Henry Lee, 3rd Earl of Lichfield, in 1768. This charming cantata uses the water flowing into the sea simile to describe longing for the beloved. In aria (Larghetto) - recit - aria (Allegro) format.
Range: b - e'
Editor: James Sanderson
The third lament from d'India's Quinte Musiche of 1623. Dramatic and extremely moving monodic piece with intensely chromatic movement.
Editor: James Sanderson
Rinaldo's Act II lament from Handel's 1712 opera of the same name. Marvellous sustained largo A section with a coloratura allegro B section.
Editor: James Sanderson
Source: Act II, viii or Tamerlano. Andronico's rage aria at the end of Act II. It's a good one!
Editor: James Sanderson
O peace of my heart, where do you wander?
A beautiful RARA format cantata with roccoco harmony, delightful vocal lines and a real charm.
Range: c - f'
Editor: James Sanderson
Dated London, 1751 this cantata can be performed with either violins or flutes/recorders - it is unclear from the source as to which instrument was preferred (althoug if pushed I would probably lean towards flutes/recorders because of the instrumental writing in the first aria - Amoroso). The subject is a rather coy lady, probably in love with the Fileno to whom she speaks, but who knows?
Range: c' - f''
Editor: Kate Eckersley & James Sanderson
Hasse's setting of Pietro Metastasio's Cantata V: Il Nome, a hugely popular cantata text which deals with the lovers Clori and Filomena. Here, using the unusual combination of flute and alto voice in ARA format.
Source: copy in Münster Santini Sammlung HS 1940.
Range: b - g'
Editor: James Sanderson
One of three aria-recit-aria cantatas in BL MS Add 29484, simple but very attractive. Subject: Cora's unwillingness to love
Editor: James Sanderson
Source: Source: BL Add 14,214 ff 64v - 70v (only source)
Remarkable piece in aria - recit - aria format, text (possibly by Metastasio) dealing with how much the lover is prepared to give up for his beloved Irene. The writing is sinuous and very chromatic.
Range: d' - f''
Editor: James Sanderson
From a very clear contemporary copy in the British Library
A substantial cantata with a text concerning our old friends Tirsi and Clori.
Range c# - f' and would suit a low soprano or highish alto. Excellent largo to start and a dramatic accompagnato recit. The feel is similar to the Venetian motets.
Editor: James Sanderson
A trio for three of the great singers of the early 18th century, Farinelli, Bernacchi and Tesi. An emotional triabgle between mother, lover and son.
Source: Münster Santini Sammlung Hs 4262
Range (soprano): d - f'
Range (mezzo): b flat - f'
Range (alto): d blat - d'
Editor: James Sanderson
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