'The Fall of Egypt' by John Stanley (1712-1786)

This is an edition of John Stanley's oratorio 'The Fall of Egypt' with critical commentary as well as detailed writing on its history, libretto, context and word setting. John Stanley (1712-1786) composed it for performance in 1774 at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. It received two performances that year and then one in 1775. It appears to have lain unedited and unperformed since, surviving in a sole manuscript in the library of the Royal College of Music. As Stanley was blind, this manuscript was copied by amanuenses; it bears the recognisable handwriting of some of his known copyists. It is scored for a full Baroque orchestra with trumpets, horns and timpani.