George Frederick Handel (1685 – 1759)

The 3-Act Opera Il Pastor Fido (The Faithful Shepherd) was the second opera composed by Handel after his arrival in England. It was first performed at the Queens Theatre, Haymarket , London in 1712. In 1734 Handel brought out two revisions, one being in the form of an extended Ballet entitled “Terpsichore“. The original “orchestral accompaniment” was very sparse, and was left to the discretion of the harpsichordist, with support from violin and cello. This setting for “modern” orchestra is by Arnold Schering.

The scene is Arcadia, where for many years the people have been suffering under a terrible burden.  Each year they must sacrifice a virgin, to assuage the demands of the Goddess Diana.  The Oracle has prophesied that this punishment can only be lifted with the marriage of two ‘of the heavenly race’ one of whom will be ‘a Faithful Shepherd’.  Amarilli and Silvio, both of divine descent, have been identified as the couple whose marriage will lift the curse, and their fathers have arranged a betrothal.

Amarillis Crowning Mirtillo —  Jacob van Loo – www.rijksmuseum.nl

Mirtillo [Il pastor fido] suite. Overture [Not from Il pastor fido or from Terpsicore. This is the overture (without the gigue) to Il Parnasso in festa, HWV 73] ; Sarabande : [HWV 8b, no. 7] ; Musette : [HWV 8c, no. 8c, no. 23] ; Pastorale : [HWV 8c, no. 21] ; La gelosia : [HWV 8b, no. 10] ; Entrée : [HWV 8c, no. 22] ; Duetto : [HWV 8b, no. 13] ; Gigue : [HWV 8b, no. 8] (19:06) – anon.