FULL SAUL Edinburgh 2022 Neal Davies, Iestyn Davies, Andrew Haji, James Gilchrist, Sophie Bevan
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Information on the Performance
- Work Title: Saul
- Composer: Handel George Frideric aka Händel Georg Friedrich
- Libretto: Charles Jennens
- Venue & Opera Company: Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland
- Recorded: August 24, 2022
- Type: Concert Live
- Singers: Neal Davies, Iestyn Davies, Andrew Haji, James Gilchrist, Sophie Bevan, Liv Redpath, William Thomas, Joanna Songi, Malachy Frame, Peter Harris, Graham Neal
- Conductor: John Butt
- Orchestra: The English Concert
- Chorus: The English Concert
Information about the Recording
- Published by: The English Concert
- Date Published: 2023
- Format: Streaming
- Quality Video: 3 Audio:3
- Subtitles: nosubs
- Video Recording from: YouTube FULL VIDEO
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PERFORMANCE
Saul (HWV 53) is a dramatic oratorio in three acts written by George Frideric Handel with a libretto by Charles Jennens. Taken from the First Book of Samuel, the story of Saul focuses on the first king of Israel’s relationship with his eventual successor, David—one which turns from admiration to envy and hatred, ultimately leading to the downfall of the eponymous monarch. The work, which Handel composed in 1738, includes the famous “Dead March”, a funeral anthem for Saul and his son Jonathan, and some of the composer’s most dramatic choral pieces. Saul was first performed at the King’s Theatre in London on 16 January 1739. The work was a success at its London premiere and was revived by Handel in subsequent seasons. Notable modern-day performances of Saul include that at Glyndebourne in 2015.
Synopsis
The libretto is freely adapted from the First Book of Samuel, Chapters 16–31, with additional material from the epic poem, the Davideis by Abraham Cowley. The printed libretto of Saul from 1738 credits the Davideis as the source of the contemptuous treatment of David by Princess Merab.
Act 1
The Israelites raise their voices in magnificent thanksgiving to God, for the young warrior David has slain the Philistine giant Goliath. At the court of King Saul, once a mighty warrior himself, all the people celebrate the hero David. Saul’s son, Jonathan swears eternal devotion to David, but Saul’s two daughters experience contrasting emotions – Michal is in love with David, but Merab feels contempt for him as a social inferior, a feeling that only increases when Saul offers her in marriage to David. A group of Israelite young women offer further tributes to David. King Saul is enraged at the way David is praised. Unable to restrain his anger, he orders Jonathan to kill David.
Act 2
The people of Israel reflect on the destructive power of envy. Jonathan pleads David’s case to Saul, who appears to relent. Saul asks Jonathan to bring David back to court and promises Michal as David’s bride, though Saul anticipates David’s death in battle. David and Michal express their mutual love, but David reports that Saul’s rage has not diminished and that Saul threw a javelin close past his head in frustration. Saul summons David to court again as both Michal and Merab express their faith that God will protect David. Jonathan tries to explain to Saul why David has not responded to his summons. Saul rages against both David and Jonathan.
Act 3
In despair, and though aware it is unlawful, Saul asks the Witch of Endor to raise the ghost of Samuel the prophet. Asked for advice, the ghost of Samuel reminds Saul that he had once predicted his downfall for sparing the king of the Amalekites whom Samuel had ordered killed. He predicts that David will inherit the kingdom of Israel when Saul and his sons die in the next day’s battle. David learns from an Amalekite soldier of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan at the hands of the Amalekites, and David orders the Amalekite killed. After a funeral march for the Israelite dead, Merab, David, and Michal each in turn express their sorrow, particularly for the loss of Jonathan. A high priest predicts David will win future victories and the Israelites urge him to restore their kingdom.
Quoted from Wikipedia