George Frideric Handel by Balthasar Denner

''The Triumph of Time and Truth'' is the final name of an

oratorio An oratorio () is a large musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists. Like most operas, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an instrumental ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias. However, opera is ...

by George Frideric Handel produced in three different versions across fifty years of the composer’s career:

''Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno (The Triumph of Time and Disillusion)'', HWV 46a

Handel’s very first oratorio, composed in spring 1707, to an Italian-language libretto by Cardinal Benedetto Pamphili. Time and Disillusion are personified (thus spelled with an initial capital even in Italian). Comprising two sections, the oratorio was premiered that summer in Rome. One of its famous arias is ''Lascia la spina, cogli la rosa (Leave the Thorn, Take the Rose)'', later recast as ''Lascia ch’io pianga (Leave Me to Weep)'' in the opera '' Rinaldo''. and for Pena Tiranna in Amadigi di Gaula.

''Il trionfo del Tempo e della Verità (The Triumph of Time and Truth)'', HWV 46b

Revised and expanded into three sections in March 1737, the work also had its name adjusted. Handel was by that time living in England and producing seasons of English-language oratorio and Italian opera. This version premiered on March 23, received three more performances the next month, and was revived on one date in 1739.

''The Triumph of Time and Truth'', HWV 71

In March 1757, possibly without much involvement from the blind and aging Handel, the oratorio was further expanded and revised. The libretto was reworked into English, probably by the composer’s prolific last librettist,

Thomas Morell Thomas Morell (; 18 March 1703 – 19 February 1784) was an English librettist, classical scholar, and printer. John Christopher Smith Jr. probably assembled the score. Although ''

Jephtha Jephthah (pronounced ; he, יִפְתָּח, ''Yīftāḥ''), appears in the Book of Judges as a judge who presided over Israel for a period of six years (). According to Judges, he lived in Gilead. His father's name is also given as Gilead, ...

'' (1751) is considered the composer’s true last oratorio, this third version of ''Il trionfo'' comes later.

Isabella Young Isabella Young (also Isabella Scott) (17?, London – 12 August 1791, London) was an English mezzo-soprano and organist who had a successful career as a concert performer and opera singer during the latter half of the eighteenth century. Young bec ...

sang the role of Counsel (Truth) at the premiere.

References

External links

Libretto at opera.stanford.eduScore on IMSLP
{{DEFAULTSORT:Triumph of Time and Truth 1707 compositions 1737 compositions Oratorios by George Frideric Handel