Guardian Angels, Oh, Protect me

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Guardian Angels, Oh, Protect me appears as the last aria in G. F. Handel's oratorio "Triumph of Time and Truth", created in 1757. This oratorio happened to span Handel's entire life, as the first edition of this work was composed in 1707 under the title "Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno" (The Triumph of Time and Disillusion). It was later revised in 1737, with Handel changing the title to "Il trionfo del Tempo e della Verità" (The Triumph of Time and Truth). Finally, in 1757 it was converted entirely into English; however, the librettist is unknown. 

This aria features Handel's mastery of da capo aria style. Originally written for soprano, oboe, strings, and basso continuo, the graceful lines, exchanging melodies, and plentiful sequences make it ripe for ornamentation. The ornaments used in this arrangement can be heard in the album, "Eternal Heaven", performed by Lea Desandre and the Jupiter Early Music Ensemble.