Maccabees by Antonio Ciseri (Lebrecht)
tHe OPeNiNG
CONCeRt
HaNdel
Judas
maccabaeus
ScottiSh chamber orcheStra
William chriStie conductor
Edinburgh Festival Chorus
Christopher Bell Chorus Master
Rosemary Joshua Soprano
Sarah Connolly Mezzo soprano
Reno Troilus Countertenor
William Burden Tenor
Neal Davies Bass
Judas Maccabaeus premiered at
Covent Garden in 1747. At the same time
as being one of Handel’s most enduring
oratorios it is a direct and highly political
statement about the, then, recent Jacobite
uprising and as such remains provocative
to this day. Composed by Handel in his
role as chief propagandist of the House
of Hanover, it has words written by
Thomas Morrell to celebrate the Duke
of Cumberland’s victory over the Scottish
rebels at Culloden, its most famous chorus
being See, the conqu’ring hero comes.
The work has been popular since its first
performances in the Scottish Enlightenment
period, moving audiences with familiar
melodies, high drama and powerful
choruses. With a star line up of soloists
and William Christie conducting the
Scottish Chamber Orchestra, this promises
to open the Festival in style.
Friday 14 August 7.00pm
Usher Hall
Tickets £45 £40 £38 £32 £30 £20
£17.50 £15 £12.50 £10
3 hours 15 minutes approximately
www.eif.co.uk/opening
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tHe OPeNiNG CONCeRt
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