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March from Scipio in Bb for Flexible/School Band (School Band Series)
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You are purchasing high quality sheet music PDF files suitable for printing or viewing on digital devices.March from Scipio – Flexible Band
Composer: George Frideric Handel Arranger: Keith Terrett Instrumentation: Flexible Band
A transcription of Handel’s stately March from Scipio, arranged for Flexible Band. Its noble melody and ceremonial character make it an excellent choice for school bands, community ensembles, concerts, parades and formal occasions.
If the instrumental parts you require are not included, please email your requirements to keithterrett@gmail.com.
About the Music
Scipione (HWV 20) is an opera in three acts composed by George Frideric Handel for the Royal Academy of Music in 1726, with a libretto by Paolo Antonio Rolli. Handel wrote the opera while also working on Alessandro. Its story is based on the life of the Roman general Scipio Africanus.
The opera received its premiere at the King’s Theatre, Haymarket, London, on 12 March 1726. Handel revived it in 1730. It was later performed by the Handel Opera Society in 1967 and has also appeared at major Handel festivals in Göttingen, Halle and Beaune.
The celebrated slow march from the opera became the regimental slow march of the Grenadier Guards.
Synopsis
The action takes place in New Carthage—modern Cartagena—in 210 BCE, after the Roman army, led by Scipione, has captured the city from the Carthaginians and their Spanish allies.
Act I
Scipione leads a procession of captives through the city’s triumphal arch. His officer Lelio presents him with the captive princess Berenice. Scipione is immediately attracted to her but vows to respect her honour.
Berenice loves the Spanish prince Lucejo, who has entered the Roman army in disguise and intends to rescue her. Lelio is attracted to another prisoner, Armira, but she refuses to return his affection while she remains a captive.
Although Scipione has forbidden strangers from entering the palace garden where the women are confined, Lucejo secretly enters. When Scipione declares his love for Berenice, Lucejo reveals himself through an angry outburst. Berenice protects him by pretending that he is a madman and pleading for mercy. Lucejo misunderstands her actions and becomes jealous.
Act II
Berenice’s father, Ernando, arrives to offer Scipione a ransom for his daughter and an alliance of friendship. Scipione again attempts to win Berenice’s love, but she rejects him.
Lucejo reappears, and Berenice dismisses him for his own protection. Believing that she no longer loves him, he pretends to court Armira, knowing that Berenice may overhear. Both women are distressed.
Scipione discovers Lucejo in the forbidden garden. Lucejo reveals his identity and challenges Scipione to a duel, whereupon Scipione orders his arrest. Berenice admits that she might have loved a Roman had she not already pledged herself to another.
Act III
Scipione offers Ernando his freedom and the release of Berenice on the condition that she marry him. Ernando replies that he would willingly surrender his life and kingdom but cannot break his promise that Berenice should marry Lucejo.
Impressed by Ernando’s integrity, Scipione renounces his own desires. He accepts the ransom, frees Berenice and allows her to marry Lucejo. He then returns the ransom to the couple as a wedding gift.
Everyone praises Scipione’s generosity, and Lucejo pledges loyalty to Rome on behalf of himself and his people.
