Händels "Solomon" mit dem NDR Vokalensemble

In the organizer's words:

The introduction will take place at 7 pm in the Great Hall of the Elbphilharmonie.

Participants:
George Petrou, conductor
Göttingen Festival Orchestra
NDR Vocal Ensemble

Program:
George Frideric Handel
Solomon HWV 67

Handel's "Solomon": Powerful double choirs
Even before George Frideric Handel began his oratorio "Solomon", he apparently knew that he would have more musicians than usual at his disposal for the premiere. And so Handel took every liberty in his composition, writing for a large wind section, additional strings and powerful double choirs.

The life of King Solomon
The subject matter is made for legendary (sonic) richness: Handel places the biblical King Solomon at the center of the action and thus the most important stages in the life of the wise ruler: the first act opens with grandiose choruses of joy at the building of the temple in Jerusalem. The second act is full of drama, in which King Solomon has to decide between two women who are fighting over a child. In a touching aria, the composer reveals the real mother's renounced love. And at the finale, none other than the Queen of Sheba appears to philosophize with King Solomon about the power of music.

Wisdom and peace
The meeting of the Jewish ruler and the Arabian princess seems like a prayer for peace, and not only today. One possible interpretation is that Handel secretly addressed his oratorio about the wise King Solomon to King George II. In those years, Great Britain had been worn down by numerous wars and quite a few of its subjects wished for a peaceful life again. The Göttingen Festival Orchestra is more than familiar with the interpretation of Handel's works: every year since 2006, musicians from all over the world have come together to form the renowned festival orchestra of the Göttingen International Handel Festival.

Price information:

Discount offer available