Handel’s colossal work tells the story of one of the Bible’s most prominent characters, King Solomon, with each of its three acts illustrating his different qualities and exploring the theme of leadership.
In Act I, the king’s devoutness and ‘marital bliss’ is celebrated ‘amid flowers, sweet breezes and nightingales’ songs’.
Act II recognises Solomon’s great wisdom as he dramatically resolves a dispute between two women claiming to be the mother of the same child, while the final act highlights the splendour of Solomon’s kingdom through a lavish masque presented to the visiting Queen of Sheba.
Handel’s tour-de-force oratorio is directed by OAE Principal Artist John Butt. Nardus Williams is the versatile soprano soloist, valiantly singing three roles: Solomon’s Queen, the First Harlot, and Nicaule, the Queen of Sheba.
The performance also features Hugo Hymas, Florian Störtz and, in the title role, Helen Charlston (a former Rising Star of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment). She and Williams continue the tradition of Handel’s casting of two women in the lead roles for Solomon’s 1749 debut.
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