The Choice of Hercules - Handel, George Frideric

"Op. HWV 69. Composed: 1750 (28 June to 5 July). Movements: 2 parts ;*Part 1 :1. Overture :2. Accompagnato: See, Hercules! how smiles yon myrtle plain (Pleasure) :3. Aria: Come, blooming boy, with me repair (Pleasure) :4. Aria: There the brisk sparkling nectar repair (Pleasure) :5. Solo and Chorus ::a. Solo: While for thy arms that Beauty glows (Pleasure) ::b. Chorus: Seize, seize these blessings, blooming boy! (Chorus) :Recitative: Away, mistaken wretch, away! (Virtue) :6. Aria: This manly youth's exalted mind (Virtue) :Recitative: Rise youth! exalt thyself and me (Virtue) :7. Aria: Go, assert thy heav'nly race (Virtue) :Recitative: In peace, in war, pursue thy country's good (Virtue) :8. Solo and Chorus ::a. Solo: So shalt thou gain immortal praise (Virtue) ::b. Chorus: The golden trump of Fame :Recitative: Hearst thou, what dangers then thou must engage? (Pleasure) :9. Solo and Chorus ::a. Solo: Turn thee, youth, to joy and love (Pleasure) ::b. Chorus: Why, ah why this fond delay? ;*Part 2 :Recitative: Short is my way (Pleasure, Hercules) :10. Aria: Yet, can I hear that dulcet lay (Hercules) :11. Aria: Enjoy the sweet Elysian grove (an Attendant of Pleasure's) :Recitative: Oh! whither, Reason, dost thou fly? (Hercules) :12. Trio: Where shall I go? (Pleasure, Virtue, Hercules) :13. Accompagnato: Mount, mount the steep ascent! (Virtue) :14. Aria: Mount, mount the steep ascent (Virtue) :15. Chorus: Arise, arise! :Recitative: The sounds breathe fire celestial (Hercules) :16. Aria: Lead, Goddess, lead the way (Hercules) :17. Chorus: Virtue will place thee in that blest abode"

⌛ Period → Baroque ◈ Genre → Baroque ♬ Voicing → SATB

◆ Difficulty

Expert (Grade 6-8)

¶ Language → German / English

Parts 4

Instruments voices, chorus, orchestra :''Cast'' ::Hercules (alto)Pleasure (soprano)Virtue (alto)An Attendant on Pleasure (tenor) :''Mixed Chorus'' (SATB) :''Orchestra''