Largo (from Xerxes) for string orchestra

This piece is probably Handel's best-known melody and it began life as an operatic aria. The opera was named Xerxes, sometimes written as Serses and pronounced something like "ZERT-sees." It was commissioned by The King's Theater in London and composed around 1737 and 1738, after Handel had become naturalized British and taken up residence in London. The opera is set in Persia (modern-day Iran) about 470 BC and is loosely based upon the real historical figure of King Xerxes I of Persia. The opera was something of a disaster when it was first performed in 1738. Ironically, it has since become one of Handel's most popular operas, partly because the features which 18th-century listeners found so disconcerting, such as the touches of comedy and the short arias are appealing to modern audiences. This new arrangement by Colin Kirkpatrick for string orchestra includes parts for Violin 3 (duplicating Viola) and the tacet double bass sections contain cues from the cello part. Much of the music can be played in first position and musical ornaments, such as trills have been omitted. There are parts in large print Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Violin 3, Cello and Double Bass. This is an effective and easy-to-perform arrangement which should prove popular with string players and audiences alike.