Susanna (Handel)
Encyclopedia
Susanna is an oratorio
by George Frideric Handel
. The libretto
, questionably attributed to Newburgh Hamilton
, is based on the apocryphal 'history of Susanna
'. Handel composed the music in the summer of 1748 and premiered the work the next season on 10 February 1749.
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...
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...
. The libretto
Libretto
A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
, questionably attributed to Newburgh Hamilton
Newburgh Hamilton
Newburgh Hamilton was born in County Tyrone, Ireland and entered Trinity College, Dublin, in 1708, aged sixteen, but he left without obtaining a degree. He is known to have been Handel’s librettist for three works: Alexander’s Feast , Samson and the Occasional Oratorio...
, is based on the apocryphal 'history of Susanna
Susanna (Book of Daniel)
Susanna or Shoshana included in the Book of Daniel by the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. It is one of the additions to Daniel, considered apocryphal by Protestants. It is listed in Article VI of the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England among the books which are included...
'. Handel composed the music in the summer of 1748 and premiered the work the next season on 10 February 1749.
Dramatis personae
| Role | Voice | 1749 cast |
|---|---|---|
| Susanna | soprano | Giulia Frasi Giulia Frasi Giulia Frasi was an Italian operatic soprano who was primarily active in the city of London. A student of educator and historian Charles Burney, Burney described her sound as "a sweet and clear voice, and a smooth and chaste style of singing, which, though cold and unimpassioned, pleased natural... |
| Joacim, her Husband | alto | Caterina Galli Caterina Galli Caterina 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... |
| Chelsias, her Father | bass | Thomas Reinhold |
| Daniel | soprano | |
| First Elder | tenor | Thomas Lowe Thomas Lowe (tenor) Thomas Lowe was an English tenor and actor. He began his career at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in 1740. That same year he portrayed the title role in the world premiere of Thomas Arne's Alfred. He sang principally at Covent Garden until 1760 and became particularly associated with the works of... |
| Second Elder | bass | Thomas Reinhold |
| Judge | bass | |
| An Attendant | soprano | Signora Sibilla (Pinto née Gronamann) |
| Chorus of Israelites | ||
| Chorus of Babylonians | ||
| Chorus | ||
Recording
- (1989) Lorraine Hunt LiebersonLorraine Hunt LiebersonLorraine Hunt Lieberson was an American mezzo-soprano, known for the dramatic power of her vocal artistry as well as her commitment to performing infrequently-heard Baroque era and contemporary works...
(Susanna), Drew Minter (Joacim), Jill Feldman (Daniel & Attendant), William Parker (Chelsias & Judge), Jeffrey Thomas (First Elder), David Thomas (Second Elder); U. C. Berkeley Chamber Choir, Philharmonia Baroque OrchestraPhilharmonia Baroque OrchestraPhilharmonia Baroque Orchestra is an orchestra based in San Francisco, which is dedicated to historically informed performance of Baroque, Classical and early Romantic music on original instruments. The Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra was founded in 1981 by harpsichordist, teacher and early music...
; Nicholas McGeganNicholas McGeganNicholas McGegan OBE is a British harpsichordist, flautist, conductor and early music expert....
(conductor). Harmonia Mundi France HMU 907030.32
External links
- Susanna information at gfhandel.org.
- Full score and libretto (ed. Friedrich ChrysanderFriedrich ChrysanderKarl Franz Friedrich Chrysander was a German music historian and critic, whose edition of the works of George Frideric Handel and authoritative writings on many other composers established him as a pioneer of 19th-century musicology.Born at Lübtheen, in Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Chrysander was the son...
, Leipzig, 1858) - German language site; libretto is the original English, with additional German translation. - Complete libretto hosted by Stanford UniversityStanford UniversityThe Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
.