By means of their high degree of consistency and maturity, Handel's chamber duets constitute a highlight of this genre. The six chamber duets for soprano and alto selected for this volume were written in 1710-12 in Hanover (HWV 178, 185, 197) and 1740-45 in London (HWV 181, 190, 186). They are musically demanding and structured contrapuntally: the earlier works are stricter, more scholarly and more elaborate in terms of counterpoint but masterly in their craftsmanship. The later ones are composed somewhat freer, but more compact. - Urtext edition based on the 'Halle Handel Edition' - Clear, idiomatic realization of the continuo part by Christoph Harer. - Includes a separate continuo part without realization.