Largo: “Ombra mai fu” from Xerxes (string trio)

Title: Largo: “Ombra mai fu” from the opera Xerxes

Composer: G. F. Handel, arr. David Gable

Instrumentation: Violin; Violin 2 or Viola; Cello

Printout: 4 pages

Note: Although it is commonly known as the “Largo from Xerxes,” Ombra mai fu’s original tempo marking is larghetto. In addition to being a beautiful work, it is historically significant as one of the first operatic arias to be written without a da capo. The first violin part can be played on flute or oboe, though it’s range goes down to middle C.