Ensemble Zefiro Photo: Andrea Rognoni
Composed sometime during the 1720s, more than a decade after Handel had abandoned his permanent position at the electoral court in Hanover for London, these three works for wind ensemble are scored for pairs of oboes and horns, plus a bass instrument (presumably a bassoon).
The two arias may have been written for the wind players employed in Handel’s orchestra at the King’s Theatre in the Haymarket. The first of these (HWV 410) is based on the aria 'Benché tuoni e l’etra avvampi' from his opera Teseo (1713), while the march also served as the final section of the overture to Tolomeo (1729). (Notes by Samantha Owens)
The members of Ensemble Zefiro are: Alfredo Bernardini (oboe), Paolo Grazzi (oboe), Dileno Baldin (horn), Francesco Meucci (horn), Alberto Grazzi (bassoon), Giorgio Mandolesi (bassoon).
Recorded in Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington by RNZ
Sound engineer: Graham Kennedy
