Händel Largo from Xerxes (Ombra Mai Fu) – Christoph Bull on The Great Organs of First Church

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/orgue99?sub_c... A note from Christoph: This is an instrumental version of the opening aria Ombra Mai Fu from Georg Friedrich Händel's opera Xerxes. The opera premiered in 1738. In the aria, the main character Xerxes I of Persia admires the shade of a tree called Platanus orientalis. The aria was originally composed for a soprano castrato. Thankfully, the practice of castrating prepubescent boys in order to preserve their pristine voices has been discontinued and in modern performances the piece is sung by a countertenor, contralto or mezzo-soprano. It can also be sung by a tenor or high baritone an octave below. This instrumental organ version was recorded and filmed at First Congregational Church of Los Angeles during the second rehearsal run-through on May 14, 2021, in preparation for the weekly half-hour Live Stream Organ Concert on May 16, 2021. FCCLA Organist-in-Residence: Christoph Bull FCCLA AV Team: Kaspar Abbo, Danny Hesse, Marc Doten, David Saldaña If you're so inclined, please like, comment, subscribe. ~ FCCLA In-person and Online Concerts, Services and Events: https://www.fccla.org/visit https://www.fccla.org/live FCCLA YouTube Channel with Archive of Weekly Organ Prelude Concerts and Inclusive Services with Choral and Organ Music:    / firstchurchla   FCCLA Donation Opportunities: https://www.fccla.org/give Select 'Contributions - Organ' in the pull-down menu to support The Great Organs of First Church. FCCLA Album of The Mass by Patrick Cassidy: https://www.fccla.org/the-mass-album Christoph Bull on Social Media:    / @christophbull     / christoph.bull     / bull.christoph     / bullchristoph     / christoph.bull   Christoph Bull Tip Jar & Sponsorship: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/Chris... Proceeds go towards creating more music recordings, videos and albums.