83 years before George Frideric Handel’s opera „Serse“ was premiered, Francesco Cavalli had opened his dramma per musica „Il Xerse“ with the very same verses. The work very probably received its first performance on 12 January 1655 in Venice. The text was by Cavalli’s preferred librettist Nicolò Minato, whose work was revised by Silvio Stampiglia, the version also used by Handel. Cavalli’s original version of “Serse” quickly established itself in Italy and was even performed in France for Louis XIV in 1660, but today it is little known. On 25 July there is a thrilling opportunity to rediscover this opera at the Festival della Valle d’Itria in Martina Franca, Apulia, perhaps comparing it with Handel’s setting. Director Leo Moscato and conductor Federico Maria Sardelli, with his early music ensemble “Il modo antiquo”, perform „Il Xerse“ for the first time using the new critical edition from the „Opere di Franceso Cavalli“.

Gluck, „a young man of the highest abilities and a fiery spirit“, composed his opera „Antigono“ for Rome. In July this thrilling stage work can be heard once again in Bayreuth.

“Love in a Village” has now been released as part of the ambitious “OPERA” publishing project. In the 18th century it was number one in the British Isles, but is now almost forgotten.

Enchanting music to one of the most touching classical plots – that is Jean-Philippe Rameau’s “Pigmalion”. The ballet is now available in an authoritative edition.

It was a sensation when the manuscript of the “Messe solennelle” was rediscovered in 1991. An occasion for the editor to look back.

“Naïs”, the lavish opera the French composer wrote for the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, is now being published as part of the “Opera omnia Rameau”.

A contemporary regarded Handel’s opera “Berenice” as just a patchwork, but it has many little gems to offer. In May “Berenice” will be performed again on the operatic stage in Halle.