Handel wrote a cantata when he was in Rome based on the story of Icarus who flew to clost to the Sun. It is scored for Recorders, Oboe, Violins, Viola da Gamba, Soprano and BC. It is very interesting because of the writing for viola da gamba - it has passages of obligatory basso continuo realization, sometimes when the "real" basso continuo line is not playing.

It is not an easy part to play on the viola da gamba, but was written for a virtuoso, Hesse, who was German. There is a lovely story that Hesse went to Paris to study with both Marais and Forqueray. Since the two masters were bitter rivals, Hesse used a different name with each teacher. However, Marais and Forqueray were arguing one day about who had the best student and decided the best way to find out was to play the two students off against each other. Of course there was only one student, Hesse, and on the day of the "competition" he was discovered. Marais and Forqueray were so annoyed that Hesse was sent away from Paris in disgrace! I think the punishment was a bit over the top.

Anyway, I will play the cantata next week, and I'm looking forward to it! If you ask, I can let you know how it goes!