Handel, Alceste

Program: Alceste by Georg Friedrich Handel

Handel composed Alceste at the request of John Rich, director of the Covent Garden theatre, to illustrate a play by Tobias Smolett. For mysterious reasons, the show never saw the light of day, and the composer reused his work in other pieces. Today, only the texts set to music by Handel have been found. Alceste offers her death in exchange for a longer life for her husband Admetus. Hercules, struck by Alceste's devotion, gives the couple back their lives.

10.00€

Program details

1. Ouverture
2. Grand entrée
3. Récit & chorus « Ye happy people »
4. Solo & chorus « Still caressing »
5. Air « Ye swift minutes as ye fly »
6. Chorus « O bless, ye powers above »
7. Air « Gentle Morpheus »
8. Air « Ye fleeting shade »
9. Chorus « Thrice happy who in life excel »
10. Air « enjoy the sweet elysean groves »
11. Chorus « thrice happy who in life excel »
12. Air « Come Fancy, empress of the brain »
13. Symphony & recit
14. Chorus « All hail, You mighty son of jove »
15. Symphony
16. Recit « From high Olympus’ top »
17. Air & dance « Tune your harps »
18. Last dance & chorus « Triumph, Thou glorious son of Jove »

Cast

Stéphanie Révidat, soprano
Roxanne Comiotto, soprano
Jean Delescluse, tenor
François Bazola, bass
Choir and orchestra of the Concert de l'Hostel Dieu
Franck-Emmanuel Comte, direction

Partners

Du 6 au 8 août 1997 à l’église de Millery (69)
Label: CHD (distributed by Media 7)