This is a rare antique 18th century musical score titled Giulio Cesare, Opera in Tre Atti. Rappresentata al Teatro de Re nel mercato de fieno a Londra nell Anno 1723. La Musica del Signore G.F. Handel (Julius Caesar, Opera in Three Acts. Represented at the Teatro de Re in the Haymarket in London in the Year 1723. The Music of G.F. Handel). This edition was published by Arnold and sold by Longman, circa 1789. It is a full score for flute, oboe, horns, strings, harp, chorus and soloist singers. The first page is an engraving by John Stronitharm of Pall Mall that features mythological figures and musical instruments. Page three features a list of characters and page 170 lists the solo arias and duets of each act. Pages 171 and 172 lists the subscribers to the score, and which subscribers ordered the Imperial Paper version. Included in the list are the King and Queen and a number of Lords, Earls, the Emperor of Germany, a Duke, a Prince, a Baron and other notable members of society.
The score is in relatively very good condition. The title page has some staining, tearing and is detached, and the back endleaf is torn and tattered. There is some toning, but overall the interior is clean and has been well conserved except for some corner wear to the first few pages at the bottom right.. It is printed on fairly thick laid paper - one can see the impression of the printing plate into the paper. I would suggest that this should be rebound with a hard cover in order to properly preserve it.
This is a 234 year old musical score, one that would have been owned by British royalty and ruling class - rare piece for the opera aficionado!