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Handel's Samson
Portsmouth Choral Union with The Consort of Twelve presents Handel’s dramatic oratorio Samson, Handel composed Samson immediately after Messiah in 1741 but it was not performed until first performed in 1743 at Covent Garden, London. It proved an instant success and has never fallen entirely out of favour since then. Renowned for its dramatic power, magnificent choruses, expressive solos and intricate orchestration.
Portsmouth Choral Union has a long tradition of programming Handel’s Oratorios, with their first performance of Messiah in 1896 and have subsequently presented it over 80 times. They have though frequently ventured from the well-known to such works as the less often performed Judas Maccabeus and Israel in Egypt, and most recently there have been performances of the rarely heard Belshazzar and Saul. Now the choir are adding Samson to their repertoire!
Samson contains well known arias such as ‘Total Eclipse’, where Samson laments over his loss of sight – it is worth pointing out that by this time, Handel was beginning to lose his own sight. The soprano aria ‘Let the bright Seraphim’ celebrates Samson’s heroic death and victory over the Philistines, calling on heavenly hosts to honor him. There are dramatic choruses too: the solemn gravity of music for the Israelites contrasts strongly with the livelier and almost raucous choruses of the Philistines. A strong team of solo singers will join the choir for this rare opportunity to hear one of Handel’s greatest oratorios.
For all lovers of Baroque music, and especially Baroque choral music, this is a concert not to be missed.
Portsmouth Choral Union has a long tradition of programming Handel’s Oratorios, with their first performance of Messiah in 1896 and have subsequently presented it over 80 times. They have though frequently ventured from the well-known to such works as the less often performed Judas Maccabeus and Israel in Egypt, and most recently there have been performances of the rarely heard Belshazzar and Saul. Now the choir are adding Samson to their repertoire!
Samson contains well known arias such as ‘Total Eclipse’, where Samson laments over his loss of sight – it is worth pointing out that by this time, Handel was beginning to lose his own sight. The soprano aria ‘Let the bright Seraphim’ celebrates Samson’s heroic death and victory over the Philistines, calling on heavenly hosts to honor him. There are dramatic choruses too: the solemn gravity of music for the Israelites contrasts strongly with the livelier and almost raucous choruses of the Philistines. A strong team of solo singers will join the choir for this rare opportunity to hear one of Handel’s greatest oratorios.
For all lovers of Baroque music, and especially Baroque choral music, this is a concert not to be missed.
Sunday 5 July
St Paul’s Church,
Churchside,
Chichester, Hampshire PO19 6FT
Please note the day and time - SUNDAY 5th July at 6.30pm.Tickets in advance from: www.pcuchoir.org
www.consortoftwelve.co.uk
Phillip and Philip Hairdressers, Drapers Yard, 16 The Hornet, Chichester PO19 7JG
Adults £20, Children/ students: £5.
Organised by
Portsmouth Choral Union
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