‘Hermann of the Cherusci’ and the Varus Battle found their way into the German founding myth a long time ago. Arminius, whose Teutons roundly defeated three of Varus’ legions, was already described as the ‘Liberator of Germania’ by Tacitus.

In Handel’s Arminio, the liberation battle is only the background against which the characters come to terms with themes like honour, duty, obedience, love and freedom.

Arminio premiered in the Covent Garden Theatre on 12 January 1737 but disappeared from the London stage after only six performances. Almost 200 years later, it was revived in Leipzig as Hermann und Thusnelda.

After performances in Halle (2014) and Karlsruhe (2015), this late work of Handel has been recorded at the Handel Festival in Göttingen 2018 and is now presented as a 3-CD set.

Cast:
- Arminio: Christopher Lowrey (countertenor)
- Tusnelda: Anna Devin (soprano)
- Sigismondo: Sophie Junker (soprano)
- Ramise: Helena Easker (contralto)
- Varo: Paul Hopwood (tenor)
- Tullio: Owen Willetts (countertenor)
- Segeste: Cody Quattlebaum (bass-baritone)