Georg Friedrich Händel L'Allegro, il Pensieroso ed il Moderato

Parte Prima

L’Allegro 1. Accompagnato (Tenore) Hence! loathed Melancholy,
of Cerberus and blackest midnight born,
in Stygian Cave forlorn
’mongst horrid shapes, and shrieks,
and sights unholy!
Find out some uncouth cell,
where brooding darkness spreads
his jealous wings,
and the night Raven sings;
there under Ebon shades,
and lowbrow’d Rocks,
as ragged as thy Locks,
in dark Cimmerian desert ever dwell.

Il Penseroso 2. Accompagnato (Soprano) Hence! vain deluding Joys,
dwell in some idle brain,

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Markus Schwering
Translation: David Kosviner

The winter of 1740 was a severe one for the Londoners: the British capital experienced the worst cold in human memory, and the Thames was frozen over for several weeks. In the figurative sense, too, Handel had every reason to tremble – namely for the success of the new vocal work which he had completed within 17 days in January. After all, the frost had already prevented a performance of Acis and Galatea. On 27 February however, for the premiere of L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, every conceivable strategic measure had been taken against the frost. As the Daily Post reported, several fires were blazing during the concert at the Theatre Royal in Lincoln’s Inn Fields – and the music must also have played a part in warming up the first audience to hear it. Its positive reception is demonstrated by the fact that L’Allegro was performed repeatedly during

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Markus Schwering

Der Winter des Jahres 1740 war hart für die Londoner: Die britische Hauptstadt erlebte die schlimmste Kälte seit Menschengedenken, und die Themse war über Wochen hinweg zugefroren. Händel hatte allen Grund, auch im übertragenen Sinn zu zittern – nämlich um den Erfolg seines neuen Vokalwerks, das im Januar innerhalb von 17 Tagen fertiggestellt worden war. Der Frost hatte immerhin schon eine Aufführung von Acis und Galatea verhindert. Indes waren am 27. Februar, als L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato seine Premiere hatte, alle nur denkbaren strategischen Maßnahmen gegen die Kälte ergriffen worden. Im Theatre Royal in Lincoln’s Inn Fields loderten, wie die London Daily Post berichtete, während des Konzerts mehrere Feuer. Eingeheizt haben muss den ersten Zuhörern aber auch die Musik. Dass diese gut ankam, ist allein

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