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George Frideric Handel

The Choice of Hercules (Handel)

The Choice of Hercules (HWV 69) is an oratorio in one act (three scenes) by George Frideric Handel. Handel produced the score between 28 June and 5 July 1750. The first performance was given on 1

Dramatis personae#

  • Hercules (alto)
  • Pleasure (soprano)
  • Virtue (alto)
  • An Attendant on Pleasure (tenor)
  • Chorus

Movements#

The work has the following movements:

Recordings#

Hyperion Records label received the 2003 International Handel Recording Prize for their recording of The Choice of Hercules. * Conductor: Robert King * Pleasure: Susan Gritton * Virtue: Alice Coote * Hercules: Robin Blaze * An Attendant on Pleasure: Charles Daniels * The Choir of The King’s Consort * The King’s Consort

  • Complete Libretto hosted by Stanford University
  • Richard Dyer, Cecilia opens with ‘Choice’ Handel (review of Boston Cecilia production), The Boston Globe, 8 November 2005
Composer
George Frideric Handel