Judas Maccabaeus (oratorio)
Encyclopedia
Judas Maccabaeus is an oratorio
in three acts composed in 1746 by George Frideric Handel
based on a libretto written by Thomas Morell
. The oratorio was devised as a compliment to the victorious Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland
upon his return from the Battle of Culloden
(16 April 1746). Other catalogues of Handel's music have referred to the work as HG
xxii; and HHA
1/24.
(2-8), with motives added from the Antiquitates Judaicae by Flavius Josephus.
The events depicted in the oratorio are from the period 170-160 BC when Judea
was ruled by the Seleucid Empire
which undertook to destroy the Jewish religion. Being ordered to worship Zeus
, many Jews obeyed under the threat of persecution, however some did not. One who defied was the elderly priest Mattathias
who killed a fellow Jew who was about to offer a pagan sacrifice. After tearing down a pagan altar, Mattathias retreated to the hills and gathered others who were willing to fight for their faith.
Handel's music depicts the changing moods of the Jewish people as their fortunes vary from dejection to jubilation.
, and Judas Maccabaeus became one of Handel's most popular oratorios (second only to Messiah). The General Advertiser (issued on the day prior to the concert) announced the event as:
The performers in the original 1747 production included:
composed 12 variations of "See, the Conqu'ring hero comes" for piano and cello in 1796 (WoO 45).
"Come, ever smiling Liberty, / And with thee bring thy jocund train" is sung by Maria, the heroine of Mary Wollstonecraft
's novel Maria
(1798), at the point where she believes herself to have escaped from her abusive husband. She calls her state "Comparative liberty" (174), suggesting that "the jocund train lagged far behind!" (174) because she takes no pleasure in her need for the separation.
The work was translated into German and published as part of the Händel-Gesellschaft
(volume 22) in 1866.
In 1884 Edmond Louis Budry wrote new words to "See, the Conqu'ring hero comes" which is now a popular hymn "Thine Be the Glory
".
The chorus "See, the Conqu'ring hero comes" became well-known later as the music was invariably played by brass bands at the opening of new railway lines and stations in Britain during the 19th century and is one of the movements in Sir Henry Wood's Fantasia on British Sea Songs
.
A Hebrew translation by Aharon Ashman, which was written for the 1932 Maccabiah Games
, has become popular in Israel as a Hanukkah
song. Another popular Hebrew version (not translation) for Hanukkah was written by the Israeli children's poet and author Levin Kipnis
.
Oratorio
An oratorio is a large musical composition including an orchestra, a choir, and soloists. Like an opera, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias...
in three acts composed in 1746 by George Frideric Handel
George Frideric Handel
George Frideric Handel was a German-British Baroque composer, famous for his operas, oratorios, anthems and organ concertos. Handel was born in 1685, in a family indifferent to music...
based on a libretto written by Thomas Morell
Thomas Morell
Thomas Morell was a librettist, classical scholar, and printer.Morell is important for having written the longest and most detailed surviving account of collaboration with Handel.-Librettos:...
. The oratorio was devised as a compliment to the victorious Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland
Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland
Prince William , was a younger son of George II of Great Britain and Caroline of Ansbach, and Duke of Cumberland from 1726. He is generally best remembered for his role in putting down the Jacobite Rising at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, and as such is also known as "Butcher" Cumberland...
upon his return from the Battle of Culloden
Battle of Culloden
The Battle of Culloden was the final confrontation of the 1745 Jacobite Rising. Taking place on 16 April 1746, the battle pitted the Jacobite forces of Charles Edward Stuart against an army commanded by William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, loyal to the British government...
(16 April 1746). Other catalogues of Handel's music have referred to the work as HG
Händel-Gesellschaft
Between 1858 and 1902, the Händel-Gesellschaft, or "German Handel Society," produced a collected 105-volume edition of the works of Georg Frideric Handel. Even though the collection was initiated by the society, many of the volumes were published by Friedrich Chrysander working alone...
xxii; and HHA
Hallische Händel-Ausgabe
The Hallische Händel-Ausgabe is a multi-volume collection of the works of George Frideric Handel. It was first published in the 1950s: initially as an adjunct to the HG edition, but by 1958 as a collected edition in its own right...
1/24.
Synopsis
Morell's libretto is based on the apocryphal 1 Maccabees1 Maccabees
The First book of Maccabees is a book written in Hebrew by a Jewish author after the restoration of an independent Jewish kingdom, about the latter part of the 2nd century BC. The original Hebrew is lost and the most important surviving version is the Greek translation contained in the Septuagint...
(2-8), with motives added from the Antiquitates Judaicae by Flavius Josephus.
The events depicted in the oratorio are from the period 170-160 BC when Judea
Judea
Judea or Judæa was the name of the mountainous southern part of the historic Land of Israel from the 8th century BCE to the 2nd century CE, when Roman Judea was renamed Syria Palaestina following the Jewish Bar Kokhba revolt.-Etymology:The...
was ruled by the Seleucid Empire
Seleucid Empire
The Seleucid Empire was a Greek-Macedonian state that was created out of the eastern conquests of Alexander the Great. At the height of its power, it included central Anatolia, the Levant, Mesopotamia, Persia, today's Turkmenistan, Pamir and parts of Pakistan.The Seleucid Empire was a major centre...
which undertook to destroy the Jewish religion. Being ordered to worship Zeus
Zeus
In the ancient Greek religion, Zeus was the "Father of Gods and men" who ruled the Olympians of Mount Olympus as a father ruled the family. He was the god of sky and thunder in Greek mythology. His Roman counterpart is Jupiter and his Etruscan counterpart is Tinia.Zeus was the child of Cronus...
, many Jews obeyed under the threat of persecution, however some did not. One who defied was the elderly priest Mattathias
Mattathias
Mattathias ben Johanan was a Jewish priest whose role in the Jewish revolt against the Syrian Greeks is related in the Books of the Maccabees...
who killed a fellow Jew who was about to offer a pagan sacrifice. After tearing down a pagan altar, Mattathias retreated to the hills and gathered others who were willing to fight for their faith.
Handel's music depicts the changing moods of the Jewish people as their fortunes vary from dejection to jubilation.
Part 1
The people mourn the death of their leader Mattathias, but his son Simon tries to restore their faith and calls them to arms (Arm, arm, ye brave). Simon's brother (Judas Maccabaeus) assumes the role of leader and inspires the people with thoughts of liberty and victory through the power of Jehovah.Part 2
The people have been victorious, but Judas is concerned that vanity will cause the people to claim victory for themselves. When news arrives that the Seleucid commander Gorgias is preparing to enact revenge, the people's joyous mood gives way to wailing and dejection (Ah! wretched Israel!). Again Judas rallies the people (Sound an alarm) and insists that the pagan altars must be destroyed and that false religions must be resisted.Part 3
Victory has finally been achieved for the Jewish people (See, the conquering hero comes). News arrives that Rome is willing to form an alliance with Judas against the Seleucid empire. The people rejoice that peace has at last come to their country (O lovely peace).First performance
The first performance took place on 1 April 1747 at Covent GardenCovent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
, and Judas Maccabaeus became one of Handel's most popular oratorios (second only to Messiah). The General Advertiser (issued on the day prior to the concert) announced the event as:
The performers in the original 1747 production included:
- Judas: John BeardJohn Beard (tenor)John Beard was an English tenor of the 18th century. He is best remembered for creating an extensive number of roles in the operas and oratorios of George Frideric Handel....
- Israelite man: Caterina GalliCaterina GalliCaterina Galli was an Italian operatic mezzo-soprano. She first rose to fame in England in the 1740s and early 1750s where she was particularly admired for her performances in the works of George Frideric Handel...
(mezzo-soprano) - Israelite woman: Elisabetta de GambariniElisabetta de GambariniElisabetta de Gambarini was an English composer, singer, organist and harpsichordist of the 18th century born in London of an Italian father, Charles Gambarini.She took part as a soprano in Handel's oratorio Judas Maccabaeus at 1 April 1747...
(soprano) - Simon, brother to Judas: Thomas Reinhold (bass)
- Eupolemus, Jewish ambassador to Rome: Thomas Reinhold
Popular use
Ludwig van BeethovenLudwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
composed 12 variations of "See, the Conqu'ring hero comes" for piano and cello in 1796 (WoO 45).
"Come, ever smiling Liberty, / And with thee bring thy jocund train" is sung by Maria, the heroine of Mary Wollstonecraft
Mary Wollstonecraft
Mary Wollstonecraft was an eighteenth-century British writer, philosopher, and advocate of women's rights. During her brief career, she wrote novels, treatises, a travel narrative, a history of the French Revolution, a conduct book, and a children's book...
's novel Maria
Maria: or, The Wrongs of Woman
Maria: or, The Wrongs of Woman is the 18th century British feminist Mary Wollstonecraft's unfinished novelistic sequel to her revolutionary political treatise A Vindication of the Rights of Woman...
(1798), at the point where she believes herself to have escaped from her abusive husband. She calls her state "Comparative liberty" (174), suggesting that "the jocund train lagged far behind!" (174) because she takes no pleasure in her need for the separation.
The work was translated into German and published as part of the Händel-Gesellschaft
Händel-Gesellschaft
Between 1858 and 1902, the Händel-Gesellschaft, or "German Handel Society," produced a collected 105-volume edition of the works of Georg Frideric Handel. Even though the collection was initiated by the society, many of the volumes were published by Friedrich Chrysander working alone...
(volume 22) in 1866.
In 1884 Edmond Louis Budry wrote new words to "See, the Conqu'ring hero comes" which is now a popular hymn "Thine Be the Glory
Thine Be the Glory
Thine Be the Glory, Risen Conquering Son is a popular Easter Christian hymn, written by the Swiss writer Edmond Budry and set to the tune of the chorus "See, the Conqu'ring hero comes" from the Handel oratorio Judas Maccabaeus...
".
The chorus "See, the Conqu'ring hero comes" became well-known later as the music was invariably played by brass bands at the opening of new railway lines and stations in Britain during the 19th century and is one of the movements in Sir Henry Wood's Fantasia on British Sea Songs
Fantasia on British Sea Songs
Fantasia on British Sea Songs or Fantasy on British Sea Songs is a piece of classical music arranged by Sir Henry Wood in 1905 to mark the centenary of the Battle of Trafalgar. It is a medley of British sea songs and for many years was seen as an indispensable item at the BBC's Last Night of the...
.
A Hebrew translation by Aharon Ashman, which was written for the 1932 Maccabiah Games
Maccabiah Games
The Maccabiah is an international Jewish athletic event similar to the Olympics held in Israel every four years under the auspices of the Maccabi Federation, affiliated with the Maccabi World Union. The Maccabiah Games is the third largest international sports competition in the world...
, has become popular in Israel as a Hanukkah
Hanukkah
Hanukkah , also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE...
song. Another popular Hebrew version (not translation) for Hanukkah was written by the Israeli children's poet and author Levin Kipnis
Levin Kipnis
Levin Kipnis was a children's author and poet who wrote mainly in Hebrew and Yiddish. He won the Israel prize in 1978.-Biography:Kipnis was born in Ushomir in Volhynian Governorate which was part of the Pale of Settlement of the Russian Empire , into a family of 12...
.
Orchestration
The following orchestration was recorded by Chrysander in the Händel-Gesellschaft edition of 1866:- violins I, II
- violas
- cellos
- basses (double-bass, bassi)
- recorders I, II (flauto)
- oboes I, II
- flutes I, II (traversa)
- horns I, II (corno)
- trumpets I, II, III (tromba)
- bassoon I, II (fagotti)
- timpani
- organ
- keyboard
Dramatis Personae
- Judas Maccabaeus (tenor)
- Simon, his Brother (bass)
- Israelitish Woman (soprano)
- Israelitish Man (mezzo-soprano)
- Eupolemus, the Jewish Ambassador to Rome (alto)
- First Messenger (alto)
- Second Messenger (bass)
- Chorus of Israelites
- Chorus of Youths
- Chorus of Virgins
Summary
The following table summarises the movements of the oratorio.| Part | No. | Type | Title | Voices | Tempo | Time Signature | Key Signature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Overture | Largo, Allegro, Largo | 4/4, 3/8, 4/4 | G minor | ||
| 1 | 2 | Chorus | Mourn, ye afflicted children | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Largo | 4/4 | C minor |
| 1 | 3 | Recitative | Well may your sorrows | Israelitish man (Tenor) | 4/4 | ||
| 1 | 4 | Duet | From this dread scene | Israelitish man (Tenor), Israelitish woman (Alto) |
Andante e staccato | 3/4 | G minor |
| 1 | 5 | Chorus | For Sion lamentation make | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Larghetto e un poco piano, Adagio | 12/8, 4/4 | F minor |
| 1 | 6 | Recitative | Not vain is all this storm of grief | Simon | 4/4 | ||
| 1 | 7 | Air | Pious orgies | Israelitish woman | Largo e sostenuto | 4/4 | G major |
| 1 | 8 | Chorus | O Father, whose Almighty power | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Larghetto, Allegro | 3/4, 4/4 | B flat major |
| 1 | 9 | Recitative (accompanied) |
I feel the Deity within | Simon | 4/4 | ||
| 1 | 10 | Air | Arm, arm, ye brave | Simon | Allegro | 4/4 | C major |
| 1 | 11 | Chorus | We come, in bright array | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Allegro | 3/4 | C major |
| 1 | 12 | Recitative | ‘Tis well, my friends | Judas Maccabaeus | 4/4 | ||
| 1 | 13 | Air | Call forth thy powers | Judas Maccabaeus | Allegro | 4/4 | D major |
| 1 | 14 | Recitative | To Heaven’s Almighty King we kneel | Israelitish woman | 4/4 | ||
| 1 | 15 | Air | O Liberty, thou choicest treasure | Israelitish woman | Largo | 4/4 | A major |
| 1 | 16 | Air | Come, ever-smiling Liberty | Israelitish woman | Andante | 6/8 | A major |
| 1 | 17 | Recitative | O Judas, may these noble views inspire | Israelitish man | 4/4 | ||
| 1 | 18 | Air | ‘Tis Liberty | Israelitish man | Larghetto, Adagio, Larghetto | 4/4 | E major |
| 1 | 19 | Duet | Come, ever-smiling Liberty | Israelitish woman, Israelitish man (mezzo-soprano) |
Andante | 6/8 | A major |
| 1 | 20 | Chorus | Lead on, lead on | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Allegro | 4/4 | D major |
| 1 | 21 | Recitative (end accompanied) |
So willed my father | Judas Maccabaeus | 4/4 | ||
| 1 | 22 | Chorus | Disdainful of danger | Alto, Tenor, Bass | Allegro | 3/8 | G major |
| 1 | 23 | Recitative | Ambition! if e’er honour was thine aim | Judas Maccabaeus | 4/4 | ||
| 1 | 24 | Air | No unhallow’d desire | Judas Maccabaeus | Allegro | 6/8 | B flat major |
| 1 | 25 | Recitative | Haste we, my brethren | Israelitish man (Tenor) | 4/4 | ||
| 1 | 26 | Chorus | Hear us, O Lord | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | A tempo giusto | 4/4 | F major |
| 2 | 27 | Chorus | Fallen is the foe | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Allegro moderato | 4/4 | D minor |
| 2 | 28 | Recitative | Victorious hero | Israelitish man | 4/4 | ||
| 2 | 29 | Air | So rapid thy course is | Israelitish man | Allegro, Adagio (last five bars) | 3/8 | G major |
| 2 | 30 | Recitative | Well may hope our freedom to receive | Israelitish man (Soprano) | 4/4 | ||
| 2 | 31 | Duet | Sion now her head shall raise | Israelitish woman, Israelitish man (Soprano) |
Andante | 3/4 | G major |
| 2 | 32 | Chorus | Tune your harps | Soprano (1st & 2nd), Alto, Tenor, Bass | Andante | 3/4 | G major |
| 2 | 33 | Recitative | O let eternal honours crown his name | Israelitish woman | 4/4 | ||
| 2 | 34 | Air | From mighty kings he took the spoil | Israelitish woman | Andante, Allegro (fine) | 12/8, 4/4 (fine) | A major |
| 2 | 35 | Duet | Hail, Judea, happy land | Israelitish man (Contralto), Israelitish woman |
Allegro | 4/4 | D major |
| 2 | 36 | Chorus | Hail, Judea, happy land | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Allegro | 4/4 | D major |
| 2 | 37 | Recitative | Thanks to my brethren | Judas Maccabaeus | 4/4 | ||
| 2 | 38 | Air | How vain is man who boasts in fight | Judas Maccabaeus | Andante | 4/4 | F major |
| 2 | 39 | Recitative | O Judas! O my brethren | Israelitish messenger (Alto) | 4/4 | ||
| 2 | 40 | Air | Ah! wretched Israel | Israelitish woman | Largo | 3/4 | C minor |
| 2 | 41 | Chorus | Ah! wretched Israel | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Largo, Adagio (ending) | 3/4 | C minor |
| 2 | 42 | Recitative | Be comforted | Simon | 4/4 | ||
| 2 | 43 | Air | The Lord worketh wonders | Simon | Allegro | 4/4 | A minor |
| 2 | 44 | Recitative | My arms! against this Gorgias will I go | Judas Maccabaeus | 4/4 | ||
| 2 | 45 | Air | Sound an alarm | Judas Maccabaeus | Allegro | 6/8 | D major |
| 2 | 46 | Chorus | We hear | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Allegro | 6/8 | D major |
| 2 | 47 | Recitative | Enough! to Heaven we leave | Simon | 4/4 | ||
| 2 | 48 | Air | With pious hearts | Simon | Larghetto | 3/4 | G minor |
| 2 | 49 | Recitative | Ye worshippers of God | Israelitish man (Contralto) | 4/4 | ||
| 2 | 50 | Air | Wise men, flattering, may deceive you | Israelitish woman | Larghetto | 3/4 | F major |
| 2 | 51 | Duet | O never bow we down | Israelitish woman, Israelitish man (Contralto) |
Andante | 3/4 | C minor |
| 2 | 52 | Chorus | We never will bow down | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Andante | 3/4 | C minor, C major |
| 3 | 53 | Air | Father of Heaven | Priest | Andante larghetto | 4/4 | F major |
| 3 | 54 | Recitative | See, see yon flames | Israelitish man (Contralto) | 4/4 | ||
| 3 | 55 | Recitative | O grant it, Heaven | Israelitish woman | 4/4 | ||
| 3 | 56 | Air | So shall the lute and harp awake | Israelitish woman | Allegro, Adagio (ending) | 4/4 | B flat major |
| 3 | 57 | Recitative | From Capharsalama | Israelitish messenger (Alto), Israelitish messenger (Bass) |
4/4 | ||
| 3 | 58 | Chorus of Youths; Chorus of Virgins; Chorus |
See the conquering hero comes | Soprano (1st & 2nd), Alto; Soprano (1st & 2nd); Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass |
2/2 | G major | |
| 3 | 59 | March | Allegro | 2/2 | G major | ||
| 3 | 60 | Duet; Chorus | Sing unto God | Alto, Tenor; Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Allegro | 4/4 | D major |
| 3 | 61 | Recitative | Sweet flow the strains | Judas Maccabaeus | 4/4 | ||
| 3 | 62 | Air | With honour let desert be crowned | Judas Maccabaeus | Andante larghetto | 4/4 | A minor |
| 3 | 63 | Recitative | Peace to my countrymen | Eupolemus | 4/4 | ||
| 3 | 64 | Chorus | To our great God | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Allegro | 4/4 | G minor |
| 3 | 65 | Recitative | Again to earth let gratitude descend | Israelitish woman | 4/4 | ||
| 3 | 66 | Duet | O lovely peace | Israelitish woman, Israelitish man (Alto) |
Allegro | 6/8 | G major |
| 3 | 67 | Air | Rejoice, O Judah | Simon | Andante allegro | 4/4 | D major |
| 3 | 68 | Chorus | Hallelujah, Amen | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Allegro, Adagio (ending) | 4/4 | D major |
Recordings
| Year | Cast: Judas Maccabaeus, Israelitish Woman, Simon, Israelitish Woman, A messenger, Israelite |
Conductor, orchestra and chorus |
Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Jan Peerce Jan Peerce Jan Peerce was an American operatic tenor. Peerce was an accomplished performer on the operatic and Broadway concert stages, in solo recitals, and as a recording artist. He is the father of film director Larry Peerce.... , Martina Arroyo Martina Arroyo Martina Arroyo is an operatic soprano of Puerto Rican and African-American descent who had a major international opera career during the 1960s through the 1980s... , David Smith, Mary Davenport, Mary Davenport, Lawrence Avery |
Thomas Scherman, Vienna State Opera Vienna State Opera The Vienna State Opera is an opera house – and opera company – with a history dating back to the mid-19th century. It is located in the centre of Vienna, Austria. It was originally called the Vienna Court Opera . In 1920, with the replacement of the Habsburg Monarchy by the First Austrian... Orchestra and Vienna Academy Chorus |
CD: VoxBox Vox Records VOX Records is a budget classical record label. The name is Latin for "voice."-History:Vox was founded in 1945, starting out with 78-rpm discs, specializing in licensed pressings of classical recordings made in Europe. It was one of the last major recording companies to adopt stereo recording,... Cat: 5125 |
| 1971 | Alexander Young Alexander Young Alexander Young VC was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.A native of Oranmore, County Galway, Young joined the Queen's Bays on 22 May 1890 at Renmore... , Heather Harper Heather Harper Heather Harper CBE is a Northern Ireland-born British operatic soprano.She was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1930, where she received her early musical training... , John Shirley-Quirk John Shirley-Quirk John Shirley-Quirk CBE is an English bass-baritone.He was born in Liverpool, England, and sang in his high school choir. He played the violin and was awarded a scholarship. While studying chemistry and physics at Liverpool University, he studied voice with Austen Carnegie... , Helen Watts Helen Watts Helen Watts CBE was a Welsh contralto. She was born at Wales in Milford Haven and educated at the School of S. Mary and S. Anne, Abbots Bromley and the Royal Academy of Music. She began her career with the Glyndebourne Festival Chorus, and was a regular broadcaster on the Welsh Home Service... , Patricia Clark, Jean Temperley |
Johannes Somary, English Chamber Orchestra English Chamber Orchestra The English Chamber Orchestra is a British chamber orchestra based in London. The full orchestra regularly plays concerts at Cadogan Hall, and the ECO Ensemble performs at Wigmore Hall... and Amor Artis Chorale |
CD: Vanguard Classics Cat: OVC 4072 |
| 1977 | Ryland Davies Ryland Davies RYLAND DAVIES is a British operatic tenor.In the 44 years since making his operatic debut, Ryland Davies has firmly established himself as one of the most versatile and best loved of British tenors... , Felicity Palmer Felicity Palmer Dame Felicity Joan Palmer, DBE , is an English mezzo-soprano and music professor. She sang soprano roles until 1983.... , John Shirley-Quirk John Shirley-Quirk John Shirley-Quirk CBE is an English bass-baritone.He was born in Liverpool, England, and sang in his high school choir. He played the violin and was awarded a scholarship. While studying chemistry and physics at Liverpool University, he studied voice with Austen Carnegie... , Janet Baker Janet Baker Dame Janet Abbott Baker, CH, DBE, FRSA is an English mezzo-soprano best known as an opera, concert, and lieder singer.She was particularly closely associated with baroque and early Italian opera and the works of Benjamin Britten... , Paul Esswood Paul Esswood Paul Esswood is an English countertenor. He is best known for his singing in Bach cantatas and the operas of Handel and Monteverdi. Along with his countrymen Alfred Deller and James Bowman, he led the revival of countertenor singing in modern times.Esswood was born in West Bridgford, England. He... , Christopher Keyte |
Charles Mackerras Charles Mackerras Sir Alan Charles Maclaurin Mackerras, AC, CH, CBE was an Australian conductor. He was an authority on the operas of Janáček and Mozart, and the comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan... , English Chamber Orchestra and Wandsworth School Choir |
CD: DGG Cat: 447692 |
See also
- List of oratorios by George Frideric Handel
External links
- Full score (Google books)
- Full-text libretto online
- Background and synopsis of the oratorio
- Live Recording of Number 29, Air, So Rapid Thy Course Is (performed by Mary Gayle Greene, mezzo-soprano)
- Hebrew translation by Aharon Ashman
- http://www.zemereshet.co.il/song.asp?id=363Hebrew version by Levin KipnisLevin KipnisLevin Kipnis was a children's author and poet who wrote mainly in Hebrew and Yiddish. He won the Israel prize in 1978.-Biography:Kipnis was born in Ushomir in Volhynian Governorate which was part of the Pale of Settlement of the Russian Empire , into a family of 12...
]