SOUND THE HORNS, BEAT THE DRUMS!

November 2, 2019 @ 7:30 pm

ArtSpring, Salt Spring Island

​

Bach on the Rock kicks off its 15th Season with a programme of brilliant choruses and instrumental pieces from 18th-century English oratorios. With the demise of Italian opera in the mid 18th-century, the oratorio took on an important role as one of the principal dramatic forms. Handel, (the musical genius behind Messiah, Judas Maccabeus, and many other popular oratorios) inspired many other composers to compose in the same genre. Unfortunately, many scores have been lost over the ages, however, we will be sampling some of the best surviving examples by composers such as Thomas Arne, William Boyce, Giovanni Bononcini, and of course, Handel. Some of these pieces will be having their first hearing in Canada, so don't miss what will be a rousing start to the Bach on the Rock concert season!

​

Programme

​

From Judith (1761)                                                                                                                       Thomas Arne [1710-1778]
Overture: Con spirito – Andante – Allegro
Chorus: “Father of mercies, lend thine ear”
Solo and Chorus: “Hail! Immortal Bacchus”
Chorus: Recitative and Chorus: “Prepare the genial bow’r”
Chorus: “Hear, angels, hear!”

​

From When Saul was King (1722)                                                                                             Giovanni Bononcini [1670-1747]
Chorus: When Saul was King
Chorus: Howl, O ye fir trees

​

From Solomon (1742)                                                                                                                 William Boyce [1711-1779]
Sinfonia to Part II

Air and Chorus:
Chorus: “Softly arise, O Southern breeze”

​

Intermission

​

From Judas Maccabeus (1747)                                                                                                  George Frideric Handel [1684-1759]
Overture: Lentement – Allegro – Lentement – Allegro
Chorus: “Mourn, ye afflicted children”
Chorus: “O Father, whose almighty pow’r”
Chorus: “Fall’n is the foe”

​

From Solomon (1749)                                                                                                                George Frideric Handel [1684-1759]
Sinfonia to Act III

​

From Joshua (1748) 

Introduzione                                                                                                                               George Frideric Handel [1684-1759]
Chorus: "Father of Mercy”
Semi chorus: “See the god-like youth advance”/Chorus: ”See the conquering hero comes”
Chorus: “The great Jehova”