Composer

:

George Frederick Handel

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Suite

Compose Date

:

1710

Average_duration

:

15:41

Movement_count

:

9

Movement ....

"Alchemist, HWV 43" is an opera in three acts composed by George Frederick Handel. The opera premiered on 14 January 1733 at the King's Theatre in London. The libretto was written by Charles Jennens, who also wrote the libretto for Handel's famous oratorio "Messiah." The opera is set in 16th century London and tells the story of an alchemist named Don Alfonso who is trying to turn base metals into gold. He is aided by his servant, Colin, and his daughter, Isabella. The plot revolves around Don Alfonso's attempts to find the philosopher's stone, which he believes will enable him to achieve his goal. The opera is divided into three acts, each with several musical numbers. The first act opens with a lively overture, followed by a chorus of alchemists singing about their quest for the philosopher's stone. The first act also includes several arias and duets, including a beautiful duet between Don Alfonso and Isabella. The second act is more dramatic, with several confrontations between Don Alfonso and his rivals. The act includes a powerful aria sung by Don Alfonso, in which he expresses his frustration with his lack of progress. The act also includes a beautiful aria sung by Isabella, in which she expresses her love for Colin. The third act is the most complex, with several plot twists and turns. The act includes a beautiful aria sung by Colin, in which he expresses his loyalty to Don Alfonso. The act also includes a powerful duet between Don Alfonso and Isabella, in which they express their love for each other. Overall, "Alchemist, HWV 43" is a beautiful and complex opera that showcases Handel's mastery of the genre. The opera features a wide range of musical styles, from lively choruses to powerful arias and duets. The plot is engaging and the characters are well-developed, making it a must-see for fans of Baroque opera.

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