Opera or oratorio? There is still uncertainty about the classification of Handel's "Semele". What is certain is that this full-length work is filled with musical gems and lends itself well to staged performances due to its fast-paced plot.

During the fasting season in Handel's London, dramatic works were not allowed to be performed. This prompted the composer to revive an Italian oratorio he had composed thirty years earlier in 1737 and enrich it with choruses.

Georg Friedrich Handel's "Song for Cecilia's Day" HWV 76, composed in 1739, underwent, like many works of genius, revisions and expansions. The new volume in the "Halle Handel Edition" includes all early and late versions, enabling historically informed performance practice based on the latest source evaluation.

Cavalli's opera "Scipione Affricano" offers many possibilities for realisation on stage. In addition to the love plot, the opera also deals with the themes of freedom and slavery. The new edition which is part of the critical edition “Francesco Cavalli-Opere” offers opera houses a dependable basis.

The premiere in 1749 was a failure, but the second version of 1756 was highly acclaimed. Jean-Philippe Despite optimal production conditions and context, the premiere in 1749 was not a success. Only with the second fundamentally revised version of his “Zoroastre” did Jean-Philippe Rameau win the affections of the public. The theme of Louis de Cahusac’s libretto, drawn from ancient Persian sources, is the battle between good and evil, fought out here by the religious reformer Zoroastre and his adversary, the ambitious sorcerer Abramane. This drastic dualistic juxtaposition enabled the librettist to introduce elements of ritual and belief from Freemasonry. With Graham Sadler’s new edition of the second version, published as part of the “Opera Omnia Rameau”, and the performance material available on hire, this successful performance tradition can now be continued.

It is hard to believe, but Jean-Philippe Rameau’s Opus summum et ultimum “Les Boréades”, only premiered in 1975 in London, has never before been heard in a German opera house. This is no doubt because of the problematic access to the posthumously-published work. Long awaited by the music world, and by connoisseurs of Rameau in particular, Bärenreiter has just published a critical new edition meticulously prepared by Sylvie Bouissou, Editorial Director of the “Opera Omnia Rameau”. The enterprising Oldenburg Staatstheater, renowned for its Rameau productions, did not want to miss out on this double chance, and on 2 October presents the first German production of “Les Boréades” – at the same time the first performance using the new edition. Under director Christoph von Bernuth, Rameau’s legacy proves to be a parable of the Enlightenment and of striking timeless relevance. Alexis Kossenko conducts once again, following his triumphant success with Rameau’s comédie-ballet “Les Paladins” two years ago in Oldenburg. A further eleven performances are scheduled until 20 November. This gives opera connoisseurs from the larger musical centres the opportunity to experience the programming policy and high artistic level of one of the smaller German opera houses.

Bohuslav Martinů composed his “Polní mše” (“Field Mass”) in exile in Paris
This popular work for male voices and ensemble has now been published in an authoritative Edition.