Handel / Athalia, HWV 52 (Hogwood)

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) Athalia (oratorio in three acts), HWV 52 (1733) Libretto: Samuel Humphreys (after Racine) 00:00 - Overture Act I. 05:22 - 1. Scene i / Aria: Blooming virgins, spotless train [Josabeth] 10:09 - 2. Scene i / Chorus: The rising world Jehovah crown'd [Young Virgins] 13:22 - 3. Scene i / Solo & Chorus: Tyrants would in impious things [Josabeth & Israelites] 16:40 - 4. Scene i / Recitative & Aria: When he is in his wrath reveal'd [Abner] 20:22 - 5. Scene ii / Recitative & Aria: Your sacred songs awhile forbear [Joad] 27:03 - 6. Scene iii / Recitative: What scenes of horror round me rise! [Athalia] 29:23 - 7. Scene iii / Chorus: The gods, who chosen blessings shed [Attendants] 31:52 - 8. Scene iii / Chorus: Cheer her, O Baal [Attendants] 35:02 - 9. Scene iii / Aria: Gentle airs, melodious strains! [Mathan] 38:40 - 10. Scene iii / Aria: Softest sounds no more can ease me [Athalia] 43:12 - 11. Scene iii / Chorus: The traitor if you there descry [Attendants] 44:02 - 12. Scene iv / Recitative: My Josabeth! the grateful time appears [Joad] 45:08 - 13. Scene iv / Aria: Faithful cares in vain extended [Josabeth] 51:00 - 14. Scene iv / Aria: Gloomy tyrants, we disdain [Joad] Act II. 55:50 - 15. Scene i / Chorus: The mighty pow'r [Priests, Levites & Israelites] 1:01:47 - 16. Scene i / Aria: Through the land so lovely blooming [Josabeth] 1:10:08 - 17. Scene i / Aria: Ah, canst thou but prove me! [Abner] 1:13:47 - 18. Scene ii / Recitative: Confusion to my thoughts! [Athalia] 1:15:38 - 19. Scene ii / Aria: Will God, whose mercies ever flow [Joas] 1:18:56 - 20. Scene ii / Aria: My vengeance awakes me [Athalia] 1:23:48 - 21. Scene ii / Duet: My spirits fail, I faint, I die! [Josabeth & Joas] 1:27:34 - 22. Scene iii / Recitative: Dear Josabeth [Joad] 1:30:00 - 23. Scene iii / Duet: Cease thy anguish, smile once more [Joad & Josabeth] 1:34:33 - 24. Scene iii / Chorus: The clouded scene begins to clear/When crimes aloud for vengeance call [Trio of Young Virgins, Chorus of Priests & Levites] Act III. 1:38:32 - 25. Scene i / Recitative: What sacred horrors shake my breast! [Joad] 1:40:01 - 26. Scene i / Chorus: Unfold, great seer, what heav'n imparts [Virgins, Priests & Levites] 1:40:53 - 27. Scene i / Recitative & Aria: Let harmony breathe soft around [Joad] 1:45:08 - 28. Scene i / Chorus: With firm united hearts [Virgins, Priests & Levites] 1:45:35 - 29. Scene ii / Recitative: O princess, I approach thee [Mathan] 1:46:04 - 30. Scene ii / Aria: Soothing tyrant, falsely smiling! [Josabeth] 1:47:45 - 31. Scene iii / Recitative: Apostate priest! How canst thou dare [Joad] 1:48:04 - 32. Scene iv / Recitative: O bold seducer, art thou there? [Athalia] 1:48:25 - 33. Scene iv / Chorus: Around let acclamations ring [Virgins, Priests & Levites] 1:51:04 - 34. Scene iv / Aria: Oppression, no longer I dread thee [Abner] 1:52:57 - 35. Scene iv / Aria: Hark! His thunders round me roll [Mathan] 1:55:03 - 36. Scene iv / Recitative & Aria: I see all hopes, all succours fail/To darkness eternal [Athalia] 1:56:45 - 37. Scene the last / Recitative: Now, Josabeth, thy fears are o'er! [Joad, Josabeth, Abner] 1:59:21 - 38. Scene the last / Chorus: Give glory to his awful name [Virgins, Priests, Levites & Israelites] Athalia (soprano) - Joan Sutherland Josabeth (soprano) - Emma Kirkby Joas (boy soprano) - Aled Jones Joad (countertenor) - James Bowman Mathan (tenor) - Anthony Rolfe Johnson Abner (bass) - David Thomas The Choir of New College, Oxford & the Academy of Ancient Music, dir. Christopher Hogwood (1986) Painting: Athaliah Massacring the Children of Ahaziah, Xavier Sigalon