Shortly after his arrival in London in the year 1710, George Frideric Handel composed, in only 14 days, his opera Rinaldo. The first performance in February 1711 was a huge success, and the aria Lascia ch'io pianga is one of the greatest favourites with sopranos, with the music reflecting as it does, in impressive form, the content of the sorrowful and melancholy lyrics. In Gwyn Arch's arrangement, this composition has been transformed into a rewarding concert piece for choirs - with Italian and English lyrics. The piano accompaniment takes its lead in every respect from the original.