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“ O sleep, why dost thou leave me?” by G.F. Handel

“ O sleep, why dost thou leave me?” by G.F. Handel. Sara Brannon 1/24/2012. “O sleep, why dost thou leave me?”. Composer: G.F. Handel Written in 1743 Aria from the opera Semele Librettist: William Congreve Baroque style No recitative . George Frideric Handel.

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“ O sleep, why dost thou leave me?” by G.F. Handel

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  1. “O sleep, why dost thou leave me?” by G.F. Handel Sara Brannon 1/24/2012

  2. “O sleep, why dost thou leave me?” • Composer: G.F. Handel • Written in 1743 • Aria from the opera Semele • Librettist: William Congreve • Baroque style • No recitative

  3. George Frideric Handel • Feb 23, 1685 - April 14, 1759 • Grew up in Germany, moved to England in his late twenties • Best known for his oratorio, Messiah • Wrote operas, oratorios, concertos, hymns • Composed in the Baroque style

  4. Semele • Written in the style of an opera, but originally staged as an oratorio, making it unpopular • First staged as opera in mid-1900s, bringing it into standard opera rep • Based on Greek myth of Semele, mother of Dionysus • “O sleep” - act 2, sung by Semele

  5. Text “O sleep, why dost thou leave me? Why thy visionary joys remove? O sleep, again deceive me, To my arms restore my wand’ring love!” Semele wakes from a good dream and begs sleep to come again so she can continue the dream.

  6. Musical Elements • Tonal, E Major • After 4-measure intro, opening word “O” is sustained for 2 measures, soft and unaccompanied, portraying Semele’s initial shock at waking up and desire for her dream to return • Text painting on “wand’ring” - melismas • “O sleep, again deceive me” - accidentals and mini key change representing deception

  7. I like this piece because of… • Beautiful legato phrasing • Simple yet passionate setting of text • Dynamic variation • Melisma on “wand’ring” - so expressive!

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