Athalia (Handel)

Athalia (HWV 52) is an oratorio in three acts by George Frideric Handel.

Formation

Unlike Handel's oratorio Athalia rest was for a performance in Oxford, at a time when Handel still predominantly composed operas. At the celebrations of the founding of the university should - according to a newspaper article - an honorary doctorate will be awarded. For unknown reasons, he did not attend the ceremony, but also his earlier oratorios Esther, Deborah, and the masque Acis and Galatea were next to the Athalia presented in Oxford.

It is not known exactly when Handel began composing. But his usual work style after it is believed that this can not have been before the end of the season in 1733, so in April. The completion of the work specified in the score 7 June 1733.

The premiere took place on July 10, 1733 in the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford instead, the next day the oratorio was repeated.

Libretto

The libretto was written by Samuel Humphreys. It is inspired by the tragedy Athalie by Jean Racine was sealed in 1691. This in turn is based on a in the books of Kings ( 2 Kings 11) and the Chronicle ( 2 Chr 22) described History.

People

The premiere cast included the following singers:

  • Athaliah, Queen of Judah, Baalsanhängerin - Mrs. Wright ( soprano)
  • Joad, a high priest - Walter Powell ( countertenor )
  • Josabeth, wife of Joad - Anna Maria Strada (soprano )
  • Joash - a boy alto
  • Mathan, a priest of Baal - Philip ( Philip Gaetano ) Rochetti (Tenor)
  • Abner, commander - Gustavus Waltz ( bass)

Action

Act I

The Jews are preparing their harvest festival. The high priest Joad complains about how Queen Athaliah reigns tyrannically over the country and the idols of Baal worship.

Athalia wakes up scared and told Mathan of their dreams. The ghost of her mother had been hovering on them and they have warned of God of Judah. When they wanted to embrace the mother, it had escaped and had been mauled by wild animals. Then she saw a boy in priestly garb, which, although they gently smiled at her but then I encountered a dagger in the chest. Mathan she tries to cheer up, it was just a dream. Since Athalia but is still depressed, Mathan I learn of the temple priests the boy's identity and kill him.

Joad and his wife Josabeth have the king's son Joash raised, but he of his true parentage knows nothing. Abner warns them of the intention of the Queen. Josabeth is concerned, but the High Priest is confident that God would protect the boy.

Second Act

The Jews celebrate the harvest festival. Abner wants to see freed the country from oppression. Joad tells him that there is a legitimate heir to the throne - namely reared him boys. Then Abner said that he would protect it with the sword.

Athalia appears and asks if the boy was Josabeths child. Josabeth denied, and Joash poses as an orphan Eliakim. Athalia will take him to her palace, but he refuses because he wants to make no idolatry. Athalia flares up in thoughts of revenge. Josabeth is desperate again and is encouraged by Joash.

Joad and Josabeth press their confidence on a good output.

Act Three

In a divine enlightenment Joad predicts that the sacrilegious reign come to an end and Athalia will die. He asks Joash, whose rule he would take as an example, if he had the choice. Joash replied " David", whereupon the high priest and his wife announce that Joash was a king's son and the new rulers.

Mathan comes up to Josabeth, but is rejected as a hypocrite. Athalia appears and demands the delivery of the child, but Joad leads him to her as the new king. Abner refused to obey her, and Mathan recognizes that Judas God who has triumphed. Athalia swears revenge.

As a final praise and thank the Jews for God's goodness.

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