Flavio, Re de' Longobardi (HWV 16) (Vocal Score)

Handel Flavio, Re de' Longobardi (HWV 16) (Vocal Score)

Flavio is a light, entertaining opera, which combines tragic, comic and satirical elements.  The libretto, by Nicola Haym, is based on Flavio Cuniberto by Matteo Noris (Rome 1696); additional material for the basis of the action was taken from the Historia Langobardorum of Paulus Diaconus (c. 720–797), and Pierre Corneille’s Le Cid of 1637.  The characters in the drama are effectively portrayed by Handel’s music.

Compared with other Handel operas, Flavio is relatively short, lasting only some two and a half hours.  Flavio was performed eight times, and it ended the season on 15 June 1723.  It was revived in 1732 for four performances between 18 and 29 April, in an altered form and with a different cast.  At the time of this revival Handel’s company was different from that of 1723, so that the voice-ranges of some roles had to be altered; the composer made cuts and transpositions, and added new texts and new movements.  After these last performances under Handel’s direction, the work was forgotten, and not heard until 1967, when it was performed at the Handel Festival in Göttingen. Between 1985 and 1990 Flavio acquired increasing popularity.

- Urtext of the Halle Handel Edition

- Full Score (BA04046-01), vocal score (BA04046-90) for sale

- Performance material (BA04046-72) available for hire