Opera Scotland

Triumph of Time and Truth The Triumph of Time and Truth

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Music

George Frideric Handel (born Halle, 23 February 1685; died London, 14 April 1759)

Text

Thomas Morell

Source

Cantata Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno (1707) by Pamfili, set by Handel in Rome.

 

Premieres

First Performance: London 1757.

First Performance in Scotland: Greenock (Beacon Arts Centre), 2 May 2014.

 

Background

The Triumph of Time and Truth is the last of Handel's choral pieces, and he was assisted by his pupil Christopher Smith. It was completed in 1757, by which time the old composer was blind. It is an adaptation into English, with substantial musical adjustments, of an allegorical oratorio or scenic cantata he had composed in his youth when working in Rome. That had itself been substantially revised for presentation in London in 1737.

 

Characters

Beauty (soprano)

Deceit (alto)

Truth (alto)

Pleasure (tenor)

Time (bass)

 

Plot Summary

Beauty is keen on the idea of eternal youth, encouraged by Deceit and Pleasure. However the inevitable Truth is eventually recognised, with the help of Time.