''The Choice of Hercules'' ( HWV 69) is an oratorio in one act (three scenes) by

George Frideric Handel George Frideric (or Frederick) Handel (; baptised , ; 23 February 1685 – 14 April 1759) was a German-British Baroque music, Baroque composer well known for his opera#Baroque era, operas, oratorios, anthems, concerto grosso, concerti grossi, ...

. Handel produced the score between 28 June and 5 July 1750. The first performance was given on 1 March 1751 at the

Covent Garden Theatre The Royal Opera House (ROH) is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply Covent Garden, after a previous use of the site. It is the home of The Royal Op ...

, London with Cecilia Young as Virtue, Isabella Young as Hercules, and Thomas Lowe as attendant. The

libretto A libretto (Italian for "booklet") is the text used in, or intended for, an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata or Musical theatre, musical. The term ''libretto'' is also sometimes used to refer to the t ...

is derived from the poem (1743) of Robert Lowth but revised, probably, by Thomas Morell. The story centres on the Choice of Hercules, in which the youthful Hercules must decide between the paths of pleasure and virtue. These are represented by two women who present their various arguments to Hercules, and his confusion is articulated in the trio ''Where shall I go?''. The classical myth of "the choice of Hercules," as told by the 5th-century Athenian sophist Prodicus (Xenophon ''Memorabilia'' 2.1.21-34), anticipates that Hercules will choose to follow Virtue's path. And, indeed, the Chorus sings ( Chorus, 24) that "Virtue will place thee in that blest abode, Crown'd with immortal youth, Among the gods a god!" The character of The Attendant on Pleasure is introduced into this version of the ''Choice of Hercules'' and complicates Hercules' choice (Air, 16). A typical performance takes almost 50 minutes. The work includes the notable aria ''Yet can I hear that dulcet lay''.

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 Conductor or conduction may refer to: Music * Conductor (music), a person who leads a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra. * ''Conductor'' (album), an album by indie rock band The Comas * Conduction, a type of structured free improvisation ...

: Robert King * Pleasure: Susan Gritton * Virtue: Alice Coote * Hercules:

Robin Blaze Robin Blaze (born 1971 in Manchester) is an English countertenor. Early life The son of Peter Blaze, a professional golfer, and Christine, Blaze and his brother Mark grew up in Shadwell, near Leeds, and was educated at Leeds Grammar School, ...

* An Attendant on Pleasure: Charles Daniels * The Choir of The King's Consort * The King's Consort

External links

* Complet
Libretto
hosted by Stanford University *
Richard Dyer, Cecilia opens with 'Choice' Handel (review of Boston Cecilia production), ''The Boston Globe'', 8 November 2005
{{DEFAULTSORT:Choice of Hercules, The Oratorios by George Frideric Handel 1750 compositions