Deborah: Handel the Charming Brute and the Birth of Oratorio
Saturday 7 May 2005 13:00-14:00 (Radio 3)
In 1733 Handel started work on his first purpose-written Oratorio, Deborah. The piece was not popular with the audiences of the time, partly due to Handel's doubling of ticket prices. In addition to the ignominy of an unsuccessful work, the composer was in severe financial difficulty, his partnership with the impresario Heidegger was collapsing, he was being constantly lambasted by the King's son: the then Prince of Wales and a certain cartoon was doing the rounds showing Handel as a greedy hog. Catherine Bott explores Deborah, and Handel's corresponding misfortunes.
Playlist
Excerpts taken from EBU recording at Handel Festival Gottingen 2004
Deborah: Heidrum Kordes, soprano
Jael: Kerstin Bruns, soprano
Barak: Peter Kennel, Alto
Sisera: Franz Vitzhum, Alto
Herald: Jorn Lindemann, tenor
Abinoam: Gotthold Schwarz, bass
Landesjugenchor Niedersachsen
Landesjugendchor Sachsen-Anhalt
Musica Alta Ripa, Hannover
Jorg Straube
Handel Deborah
Chorus: Immortal Lord of Earth and Skies
Handel Deborah
Recitative (Deborah/ Barak)
Handel Deborah
Duet: Where do thy ardours raise me?
Handel Deborah
Recitative (Jael/ Deborah)
Handel Deborah
Air: Choirs of Angels, all around thee (Deborah)
Handel Deborah
Chorus: Despair, all around them
Segue
Handel Deborah
Chorus: Alleluia CD1/29
Handel Deborah
Chorus of the Israelites: See, the proud Chief
Segue
Handel Deborah
Recitative (Sisera)
Segue
Handel Deborah
Air: At my feet extended low (Sisera)
Handel Deborah
Recitative (Abinoam)
Segue
Handel Deborah
Air: Swift inundation of desolation
Handel Deborah
A military symphony
