George Frideric Handel – Israel in Egypt

VENUE: All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak

SOPRANO: Davidona Pittock

MEZZO SOPRANO: Rosanna Cooper

TENOR: Dominic Bevan

BASS: Samuel Dewese

BASS: Wesley Biggs

CONDUCTOR: Ronald Corp

“The horse and his rider hath He thrown in to the sea.” These are the final words of Israel in Egypt, which sets to music passages from the Old Testament Book of Exodus and Psalms. The libretto is believed to have been prepared by Charles Jennens, who was also to compile the biblical texts for Messiah a few years later.

Frogs, pestilence, flies, lice, locusts, hailstones, fire, darkness and the parting of the Red Sea all feature in this extraordinarily dramatic oratorio, composed by Handel in one month.

HCS musical director Ron Corp shares his thoughts on Handel’s work in this video.