G.F. Handel: Largo “Ombra mai fù” (Never was a shade) from the opera "Xerxes" for flute and piano was written in 1738, originally for a mezzo-soprano castrato (the role of Xerxes, originally performed by Gaetano Majorano, known as Caffarelli) with strings and continuo.
The aria is sung by King Xerxes I of Persia. In a moment of bizarrely peaceful contemplation, he sings a love song to a plane tree (Platanus orientalis) for providing him with shade. The irony of such a profound, sacred-sounding melody being addressed to a tree is a hallmark of the opera's subtle humor.
Originally marked Larghetto. The "Largo" title was a later 19th-century editorial change that stuck in the popular consciousness.
The opera premiered on April 15, 1738, at the King’s Theatre, Haymarket in London. Surprisingly, the opera was a commercial failure, closing after only five performances. It was essentially forgotten for nearly 150 years until it was "rediscovered" in the late 19th century through instrumental transcriptions. The transformation into "Handel's Largo" occurred in the late 1800s. Professors at the Paris Conservatoire (like Taffanel) used it to teach tone quality, breath support, and vibrato control.
By 1738, the London public’s appetite for Italian opera seria was fading. Handel was facing stiff competition and financial strain. In response, he wrote Xerxes, which was a departure from his usual style: it was shorter, contained comic elements, and avoided the lengthy da capo arias that had become predictable. "Ombra mai fù" is famous for its brevity and simplicity, lasting only about three minutes.

Kata Scheuring (flute), Mátyás Antal (conductor), Liszt Academy of Music orchestra, April 29, 2016

Largo “Ombra mai fù”

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Handel George Frideric

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) was a German-born British composer who is known for his oratorios (Messiah), operas, instrumental compositions as well as occasional works (Water Music; Music for the Royal Fireworks).
Born in Halle (Germany) in the family of barber (at that time barbers were surgeons as well), young Frideric started music studies with composer F.W.Zachow. After short organist career at the Cathedral of Halle, Hendel moved to Hamburg, playing violin and harpsichord in the opera orchestra. Then he traveled Italy for 5 years, while composing numerous works (two operas, cantatas and oratorios) and meeting with Corelli, and Scarlatti.
In 1710, after a great success of his opera Agrippina in Venice, Handel accepted Kapellmeister position to the elector of Hanover, the future King George I of England. After opera’s Rinaldo triumphal success in London, he composed several operas and occasional works gaining popularity and prosperity to the point where he reconsidered his return to Germany.
In 1718 he was a appointed Director of Music to the duke of Chandos. In 1727 Handel became a British subject that let him to become a composer to the Chapel Royal, composing Coronation Anthems for George II as well as other now famous occasional compositions. Since opera in general and Italian opera in particular saw considerable decline in popularity in Great Britain (mostly by tremendous success of "Beggar’s Opera" by John Gay that mocked traditional opera) by 1730s, Handel mostly dedicated his time and efforts to compose oratorios. His oratorio "Messiah", premiered in 1742, made a profound impression, thus connecting Handel to new audience who saw higher moral ground in this music as opposed to entertaining music of traditional Italian style opera. Even though Handel is one of the leading composers of the late Baroque, in England he is considered as a classic composer, and indispensable part of national culture of Great Britain.