G.F. Handel. First edition of the early Italian chamber duets, London: W. Randall, 1776

HANDEL, GEORGE FRIDERIC

Thirteen Celebrated Italian Duets, Accompanied with the Harpsichord or Organ. never before Printed, London: William Randall, [1776]

FIRST EDITION, folio (c.37.5 x 27cm), engraved frontispiece portrait of Handel by Houbraken, printed list of subscribers, engraved title, index and music, contemporary half calf, gilt-lettered spine

This volume contains the first editions of the following thirteen chamber duets, most composed by Handel in Italy, before he moved to London: "A miravi io son intento". "Amor, gioje mi porge", "Caro autor di mia doglia", "Che vai pensando, folle pensier", "Conservate, raddoppiate", "Langue, geme, sospira", "Quando in calma ride", "Se tu non lasci amore", "Sono liete, fortunate", "Tacete, ohimè, tacete", "Tanti strali al sen mi scocchi", "Troppo cruda, troppo fiera" and "Va, speme infida". HWV lists twenty-three chamber duets by Handel. Smith no.1 is a solo cantata.

LITERATURE:

Smith no.2 (p.179); RISM H 1046; HWV 178, 180, 182a, 184, 185, 188, 191, 193, 194, 196, 197, 198 and 199; not in Hoboken