1. SINFONIA

(Presa da Alceste HWV 45)

2. Accompagnato (PLEA.)

(Presa da Alceste HWV 45)

See, Hercules!

3. ARIA (PLEA.)

(Presa da Alceste HWV 45)

Come, bloomimg boy

4. ARIA (PLEA.)

There the brisk sparkling nectar drain,  cool'd with the purest summer snows,  there,tir'd with sporting on then plain,    beneath the woodbine shade repose,    ther,as serene thou liest along,                                                                        soft warbling voices melting lays                      shall sweetly pour the tender song                        to Love or Beauty's rapt'rous praise.

5. SOLO(PLEA.) & CHO.

(Presa da Alceste HWV 45)

While for thy arms that beauty glows,   that Love awakes its purest fire,                                            and to each ravish'd senses bestows  all that can raise or sate desire.

CHORUS

Seize, seize these blessing, blooming    boy,                                                                             for all these blessings are thy own!                       Be hail'd the rose-crown'd king of joy                 nn  and reign on pleasure's downy throne.

6. REC.(VIRT.).

Awake, mistaken wretch

7. ARIA (VIRT.)

(Presa da Alceste HWV 45)

This manly youth's exalted mind                                                                                                   above thy grov'lling taste refin'd,                                                                                                shall listen to my awful voice.                                                                                                         His childhood, in its earliest rise,                                                                                       bespoke him gen'rous,brave and wise,                                                                                     and manhood shall confiem his choice.

8. REC.(VIRT.).

Rise, youth!

9. ARIA (VIRT.).

(Presa da Alceste HWV 45)

Go, assert thy heav'nly race,                                                                                                                                           ev'rt danger boldly face;                                                                                                            level pride's high-     plumedcrest,                                                                                                                                     mm    and bravely succour the distrest.

10. REC.(VIRT.).

In peace

11. SOLO(VIRT.) & CHO.

(Presa da Alceste HWV 45)

So shalt thou gain

12. REC.(PLEA.).

Hearst thou

13. SOLO(PLEA.) & CHO.

(Presa da Alceste HWV 45)

Turn thee, youth

14. REC.(PLEA. & HERC:).

Short is my way

15. ARIA (HERC.)

(Presa da Alceste HWV 45)

Yet, can I hear that dulcet lay,                                                                                                     as sweet as flows the honey dew?                                                                                             Can I those wilds of joy survey,                                                                                                  nor wish to share the bliss I view ?

16. ARIA (ATT.)

(Presa da Alceste HWV 45)

Enjoy the sweet Elysian grove,                             seat of pleasure, seat of love;                       pleasure that can never cloy,                               love the source of endless joy.

17. REC.( HERC:).

Oh! Whither, reason

18. TRIO (HER.,PLEA.,VI..)

HERCULES

Where shall I go?

PLEASURE

To yonder breezy plain!                                     There sweetly swim in pleasure's winding stream.

HERCULES

Where shall I go?

VIRTUE

To yonder lofty fane!                                            There brightly bask in Virtue's radiant beam.

HERCULES

Where, where shall I go?

19. REC.( VIRT:).

Mount the steep ascent

20.  ARIA( VIRT:).

Mount the steep ascent

21. CHORUS.

Arise ! Arise!

(Presa da Alceste HWV 45)

22.  REC. ( HERC.).

The sound breathe fire

23. ARIA (HERC.)

(Presa da Alceste HWV 45)

Lead,  Goddess, lead the way!                Thy awful pow'r supremely wisw,                       shall guide me with its sacred ray                          to yonder lucid skies:                                             shall lift ne to thr blest abode,                                  crown'd with immortal youth, among the gods a god.

24. CHORUS

(Presa da  HWV 245)

Virtue will place thee in the blest abode, crown'e with immortal youth, among the gods a god.

Musical interlude per soli, coro e orchestra

Libretto tratto da                                  The Judgement of Hercules  di Robert Lawth                                                         e da    Josepgh Spence                            forse adattato da Morell.

Composto nel 1750, come trezo atto del Alexamder's Feast

 Prima esecuzione:   Londra al Covent Garden                  (1°  Marzo 1751)

Personaggi e interpreti:

HERCULES         MS  Esther Young

PLEASURE         S     Faulkner

VIRTUE               S     Cecilia Young-Arne

ATTENDANT of PL. T   Thomas Lowe

:

1] EMI  (POI virgin 562118  )    +Alexander's + Saul     

     ae: VIRGIN 628502(2010) con Alexander's feast                    

2010

CONDUCTOR:p. lEDGER

         HERCULES     : JAMES BOWMAN

            PLEASURE     : HEATHER HARPER

            VIRTUE           :  HELEN WATTS

            ATTEND.         :  ROBERT TEAR

2] capriccio  10019 (1982)(sr:2008)       

           2008

cONductor: mAX pOMMER

         HERCULES     :  A. ZAEPFFEL

            PLEASUE        :  V. HRUBA-F.

            VIRTUE            :  ARLEEN AUGER

            ATTEND.         :  EBER.BUCHNER

3] hyperion cda 67298 (2002)        + BRANO DI M. GREENE    (1)

 Cond. : ROBERT KING

        HERCULES : ROBIN BLAZE

            PLEASUE : SUSAN GRITTO

            VIRTUE    :  ALICE COOTE

            ATTEND.  :  CHARLES DANIELS

          giudizi (rating):

    OPERA   quotes cd 3.  (2002)   ♪♪♪

      "      "       "    cd 2.  (1994) ♪♪♪♪

    MUSICA        "     cd 2.   (1986)  ****

   CLASSICSTODAY quotes cd 3.   9/7  

   H    quotes CD 3.   9