The Choice of Hercules, HWV 69
HWV
Sheet music
Sheet music
· public domain
· 8 editions
Open on IMSLP →
Composed
1750 (28 June to 5 July)
First published
—
Period
Baroque
Catalogue
HWV
Dedication
—
Movements
2
Versions & arrangements
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Movements
As catalogued on IMSLP.
2
parts; *Part 1 1. Overture 2. Accompagnato: See, Hercules! how smiles yon myrtle plain (Pleasure) 3. Aria: Come, blooming boy, with me repair (Pleasure) 4. Aria: There the brisk sparkling nectar repair (Pleasure) 5. Solo and Chorus :a. Solo: While for thy arms that Beauty glows (Pleasure) :b. Chorus: Seize, seize these blessings, blooming boy! (Chorus) Recitative: Away, mistaken wretch, away! (Virtue) 6. Aria: This manly youth's exalted mind (Virtue) Recitative: Rise youth! exalt thyself and me (Virtue) 7. Aria: Go, assert thy heav'nly race (Virtue) Recitative: In peace, in war, pursue thy country's good (Virtue) 8. Solo and Chorus :a. Solo: So shalt thou gain immortal praise (Virtue) :b. Chorus: The golden trump of Fame Recitative: Hearst thou, what dangers then thou must engage? (Pleasure) 9. Solo and Chorus :a. Solo: Turn thee, youth, to joy and love (Pleasure) :b. Chorus: Why, ah why this fond delay?; *Part 2 Recitative: Short is my way (Pleasure, Hercules) 10. Aria: Yet, can I hear that dulcet lay (Hercules) 11. Aria: Enjoy the sweet Elysian grove (an Attendant of Pleasure's) Recitative: Oh! whither, Reason, dost thou fly? (Hercules) 12. Trio: Where shall I go? (Pleasure, Virtue, Hercules) 13. Accompagnato: Mount, mount the steep ascent! (Virtue) 14. Aria: Mount, mount the steep ascent (Virtue) 15. Chorus: Arise, arise! Recitative: The sounds breathe fire celestial (Hercules) 16. Aria: Lead, Goddess, lead the way (Hercules) 17. Chorus: Virtue will place thee in that blest abode
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