Following the success of Alcina, he National Dissemination Center Musical (CNDM) presents in its cycle Baroque universe the second title of his season 22/23 that vindicates the lyrical work of George Frideric Haendel, Solomon, considered one of the greatest oratorios of the great Baroque composer. The extraordinary score will come to life by the prestigious British orchestra The English Concert, which just turned middle school and will be directed by Harry Bicket, and the New York vocal group The Clarion Choir, Directed by Steven Fox, that will star in some of the most anticipated choral passages. Together with them, some of the most outstanding specialized voices on the international scene will be present., like the Swedish mezzo-soprano Ann Hallenberg in the title role. The concert will take place on Sunday 26 February, to 18:00h, in the Symphony Hall of the National Music Auditorium.
Solomon is a key piece of the Handelian repertoire that stands out for a marked presence of choral passages and for an overwhelming lyrical force. In addition to being considered one of Handel's masterpieces, with beautiful arias enhanced by choruses, contains some of the most popular melodies of all time. This is the case of the instrumental passage for two oboes and strings from the third act, known as “The arrival of the Queen of Sheba”, where you can appreciate all the grandeur of Handel's music and the richness of baroque music. This melody has become famous outside the context of the complete works, even going so far as to star in events such as the ceremony of the London Olympic Games in 2012.
The history of this great oratory is located in Jerusalem, in the year 950 a. C. Through an extraordinary orchestral and choral force, the public will discover different facets of the mythical King Solomon. Piety and wisdom are some of the virtues that will join universal feelings such as fury or passion. Handel chose in this work to celebrate the figure of King George II through King Solomon, extolling his role as a wise governor in a time of peace after the convulsive war of the Austrian Succession.
The oratorio opened at the Covent Garden Theater in March 1749 with a list encased by the Italian mezzo-soprano Caterina Galli, who at that time enjoyed great admiration by Handel himself and was the great star of his company, la Royal Academy of Music. Now it reaches our days with the brilliant mezzo-soprano Ann Hallenberg in the title role, accompanied by the sopranos Miah Persson (Solomon’s Queen, First Harlot) Y Elena Villalon (Queen of Sheba), the tenor James Way (Zadock), baritone Brandon Cedel (Levite) and mezzosoprano Niamh O'Sullivan (Second Harlot).
Education: At 17:00h, will take place, in the Assembly Hall of the National Music Auditorium, the meeting on Solomon in the "Baroque Contexts of the CNDM", forty-five-minute sessions that allow you to delve into the works of the cycle, its history and the interpreters. This time, Eduardo Torrico will moderate a talk that will have the participation of Alfonso Leal (violist and chief executive of the English Concert). Free admission until full capacity for those attending the concert after each talk.