Catalogue 63 - J & J Lubrano, Music Antiquarians

First Edition of Handel’s Rinaldo,
Handel’s First Opera Composed for the London Stage
106. HANDEL, George Frideric 1685-1759. [HWV 7a]. Arie dell'opera di Rinaldo. London: J. Walsh... J. Hare,
[1714]. Tall folio. Full dark brown 18th century calf with raised bands on spine, small decorative red leather label
titled in gilt to upper. 2ff. (elaborate decorative title, Table of Songs), [i] (blank), 67 pp. Engraved throughout.
Contains the overture and 34 numbers. The singers [Francesca-Vanini-] Boschi, [Giuseppe Maria] Boschi, Isabella
[Girardeau], Nicolini [Nicolo Grimaldi], Valentini [Valentino Urbani], Polito [Elisabetta Pilotti-Schiavonetti] and
[Giuseppe] Cassani are named in the score. With occasional notes regarding instrumentation printed within score.
With additional 19th century manuscript number containing music found in the Handel Society Edition but not
included in the Walsh edition. 2 pp. Quarto. With the bookplate of Gilbert Samuel Inglefield, former Lord Mayor of
London. Binding slightly worn, spine restored. Browned throughout, heavier to edges, first two and last leaves;
several small marginal edge tears. (19247)
$4,000.
First Edition, fourth issue. Smith 4 (p. 57). BUC p. 429. RISM H280. This issue includes the "Harpsicord piece
Perform'd by Mr. Hendel" not included in either of the first two issues.
First performed at The King's Theatre in London on February 24th 1711. Libretto by Giacomo Rossi after the
scenario by Hill after Tasso.
Handel's first opera composed for the London stage. "The opera was an immediate success with the public,
particular praise being bestowed on Nicolini and Handel himself, whose playing on the harpsichord, according to
Mainwaring, "was thought as extraordinary as his Music." Dean and Knapp p. 181.
Rare First Edition, First Issue of Radamisto,
with the Arie Aggiunte
107. HANDEL, George Frideric 1685-1759. [HWV 12]. Il Radamisto Opera Rapresentata nel Regio Teatro
D'Hay Market. [Score]. London: Publisht by the Author. Printed and Sold by Richard Meares... & by Christopher
Smith, [1720]. 2ff. (title, verso blank; privilege and dedication to King George I, verso blank), [i] (blank), 1-121 pp.
Engraved. With 18th century pencilled annotations, including some musical notation; "No 21" stamped to upper outer
corner of title, indicating a "sale number" (Smith p. 53). With a presentation inscription to head of title dated 1850 and
manuscript notes to foot of title recording the publication of the work on December 15th 1720 and its performance on
April 27th 1720.
Bound with:
Arie Aggiunte di Radamisto... [1721]. 1f. (title, verso blank), 38 pp. Engraved. Light uniform browning throughout;
light minor staining to edges. A very good copy overall. (18854)
$9,750.
First Edition, first issue of both parts. Rare. With the Privilege not present in some copies. Händel-Handbuch I, 172.
Smith p. 53 nos. 1 and 2. BUC p. 429. RISM H258 and H261.
"The printing of the score was heralded by a publicity campaign. A press announcement on 12 July 1720 stated that it
"is now Engraving finely upon Copper Plates by Richard Meares, Musical Instrument-Maker and Musick-Printer...
NB To make this Work the more acceptable, the Author has been prevailed with to correct the whole'. On 3 December
'the Printer presumes to assert that there hath not been in Europe a Piece of Musick so well printed, and upon so good
Paper'... It appeared on 15 December, fortified by a Privilege of Copyright granted to Handel on 14 June... The name
of the engraver, Thomas Cross, appears on the last page of the score, which is indeed a handsome volume. Smith's
name confirms that Handel was concerned in the publication, but there is no proof that he corrected the plates or
supplied the bass figuring... On 14 March 1721 Meares advertised 'several Additional Songs'... These Arie Aggiunte di
Radamisto, comprising the ten new arias and duet composed for the December 1720 revival, but not the quartet or