Esther (Handel)

Esther (HWV 50 ) is the first English-language oratorio by George Frideric Handel.

Formation

The first version of the oratorio Handel wrote at a time when he was working on his country estate Cannons for the Earl of Carnarvon ( 1719 Duke of Chandos ). It consists of more than half of acquisitions from older works, including Handel's Brockes Passion.

The first performance is uncertain documented, but it is generally assumed for the year 1718, since this year is a copyist Handel anfertigte a copy of the score. This is also suggested that the instruments used broadly in line with the musician lists for Cannons in the period in question. The work entitled Haman and Mordecai was organized at this time in six scenes and was apparently still referred to as Masque. From Winton Dean concludes that it had been presented in scenes; proves this is not.

After the performance at Cannons Esther fell into oblivion for a long time. On February 23, 1732, it was listed privately Handel's birthday at the Crown & Anchor Tavern ( beach ), under the direction of Bernard Gates, the director of the children's choir of the Chapel Royal and friend of Handel. The performance was repeated twice private.

Then a public performance of Esther was suddenly announced as the " Oratorio or Sacred Drama " in the York Buildings for April 20. It is not known who was behind this event, but Handel responded promptly. He revised the work to many new numbers, which he took over the most part of the anthems and Italian operas. This second version was already listed on May 2, 1732 at the King's Theatre in the Haymarket. The announcement included the statement " There will be no Action on the Stage, but the House will be fitted up in a decent Manner, for the Audience ".

Libretto

In the different traditional text printing is as an author mostly John Arbuthnot, but also known as Alexander Pope. Both poets were closely connected with the Earl. The libretto is loosely based on the tragedy by Jean Racine ( 1689), which draws its characters from the Book of Esther.

People

At the first public performance in 1732 following the occupation of singers sang:

• Esther - Anna Maria Strada (soprano )
• Ahasuerus - Senesino ( alto castrato )
• Harbonah - Francesca Bertolli (Alt )
• Mordecai - Francesca Bertolli (Alt )
• Haman - Antonio Montagnana ( bass)
• An Israelite - Ann Turner Robinson ( soprano)
• An Israelite - Mrs. Davis ( soprano)