Ombra Mai Fu from Xerxes (Voice.414.01) (Programme note: First performed ion London in 1738, Xerxes was a total failure. Handel had included comic scenes in what was otherwise an opera seria and this did not go down well with the contemporary audience. Neither did the short, ballad-like arias; they were accustomed to lengthy da capo arias and felt deprived. However, after a gap of 200 years Xerxes was revived and largely because of these features has become one of his most bpopular operatic works. This aria opens the opera and is sung by Xerxes to his beloved plane tree. Of course, he looks up, sees the beautiful Romilda and with typical operatic fickleness vows to marry her. The melody is well known as Handels Largo though it is marked larghetto in the score. Performance note: This version can be performed as a trumpet solo or with a voice or voices replacing the instrumental solo line. The accompaniment should be played sostenuto throughout and in a very gentle style. The dynamic is generally soft and any nuances marked should be played without exaggeration. Think of them as phrasing rather than significant changes of dynamic. Even the forte dynamics should be very carefully balanced - the sound should be warm and not in the least forced. There are a few editorial additions in the horn and trombone parts in the manner of improvised continuo lines - these also should not be too prominent but should simply add a little texture to the otherwise very formal shape of the accompaniment.)
Deutsch
English