The Triumph of Time and Truth

The Triumph of Time and Truth (HWV 71) is an oratorio in three parts by Georg Friedrich Händel.

Formation

Handel composed his last new oratorio Jephtha in 1752. During the course of the work it shows how he went blind more and more. Nevertheless, he turned the end of 1756 the oratorio The Triumph of Time and Truth to which essentially is indeed a revision of an earlier work, but still contains a large amount of new material.

On his trip to Italy in 1707 Handel wrote the oratorio in Rome in two parts Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno. After profound makeovers he created it in 1737, the three -part second version Il trionfo del Tempo e della Verità, which was sung in Italian. The English-language The Triumph contains 13 numbers from the version of 1707, 9 numbers from the version of 1737, 10 new pieces. It represents nothing less than a sheet over most of his artistic life

The merger of the text is Thomas Morell attributed to the librettist of most late Handel oratorios. In the translation, however, he could be based on the 1737 published English translation of Il trionfo del Tempo e della Verità by George Oldmixon. To him even the introduction of a new character Deceit goes back.

The premiere took place on March 11, 1757 held at the Covent Garden Theatre, and was occupied as follows:

• Time - Samuel Champness ( bass)
• Counsel (or Truth ) - Isabella Young ( mezzo-soprano)
• Beauty - Frasi Giulia (soprano )
• Pleasure - John Beard (tenor )
• Deceit - Signora Beralta ( Soprano )

The management of the performance had - as with other concerts of Handel's works at this stage - his assistant John Christopher Smith. It is not known what role Smith otherwise played with this composition. He probably modified the score according to oral instructions Handel.

The work was commissioned in 1757 and four times in the year, twice.