Handel Solomon (HWV 67, 1749)

Original source: http://opera.stanford.edu/iu/libretti/solomon.htm
Note also the libretto provided by Naxos (which I did not use here).

Georg Friedrich Händel

SOLOMON

HWV 67

(1749)

An Oratorio

Words attributed to Newburgh Hamilton

Vredenburg Leidsche Rijn, Utrecht - vrijdag 23 december 2011

Radio Kamer Filharmonie
Groot Omroepkoor
Kenneth Montgomery, dirigent
Edward Caswell, koordirigent
Handel - Solomon

Solomon: Paula Murrihy, mezzosopraan
Queen / 1st Harlot: Dominique Labelle, sopraan
Queen of Sheba / 2nd Harlot: Sherezade Panthaki, sopraan
Zadok / Attendant: Thomas Cooley, tenor
Levite: Christian Immler, bas
Uploaded on Dec 30, 2011 by radio4nl (2h43m41s, 1080pHD 16:9)


Haendel 1748 Solomon Oratorio McCreesh
Published on May 8, 2016 by Felices Cantus (2h28m17s, 720pHD 16:10)

George Frideric Handel HWV 67 Solomon

@Wikipedia, @IMSLP
Performance and video information
Conductor		Kenneth Montgomery	Paul McCreesh
Orchestra		Radio Kamer Filharmonie	Gabrieli Consort & Players
Chorus		Groot Omroepkoor Edward Caswell, koordirigent
Venue		Vredenburg Leidsche Rijn, Utrecht	Chapelle Royale, Château de Versailles
Performance date		2011-12-23	2012-06-26
Subtitles
Performance duration		2h43m41s	2h27m28s
Video type		1080pHD 16:9	360p 4:3
YouTube uploader		radio4nl	La Casa di Davide
YouTube upload date		2011-12-30	2014-02-19
YouTube deletion date
Dramatis Personæ
Solomon (alto)		Paula Murrihy	Iestyn Davies
Solomon's Queen (soprano)		Dominique Labelle	Sarah Tynan
Nicaule, Queen of Sheba (soprano)		Sherezade Panthaki	Gillian Webster
First harlot (soprano)		Dominique Labelle	Sarah Tynan
Second harlot (mezzo-soprano)		Sherezade Panthaki	Gillian Webster
Zadok, the High Priest (tenor)		Thomas Cooley	Jeremy Ovenden
A Levite (bass)		Christian Immler	Peter Harvey
Attendant (tenor)		Thomas Cooley
Chorus of priests
Chorus of Isrealites
Libretto and links
#	- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	Kenneth Montgomery Radio Kamer Filharmonie Groot Omroepkoor	McCreesh Gabrieli Consort
ACT ONE
1	Overture	1-RKF	1-McCreesh 1/fast-McCreesh
Scene 1
Solomon, Zadok, Priests and Chorus
2	Chorus of Priests Your harps and cymbals sound To great Jehovah's praise; Unto the Lord of hosts Your willing voices raise.	2-RKF	2-McCreesh (2/ritornello)-McCreesh
3	Air Levite Praise ye the Lord for all his mercies past, Whose truth, whose justice will for ever last.	(3-RKF) 3-RKF	(3-McCreesh) 3-McCreesh
4	Chorus of Priests With pious heart, and holy tongue, Resound your Maker's name, Till distant nations catch the song, And glow with holy flame.	4-RKF 4/Til-RKF	4-McCreesh 4/Til-McCreesh
5	Accompagnato Solomon Almighty pow'r, who rul'st the earth and skies, And bade gay order from confusion rise; Whose gracious hand reliev'd Thy slave distress'd, With splendour cloath'd me, and with knowledge bless'd; Thy finish'd temple with Thy presence grace, And shed Thy heav'nly glories o'er the place.	(5-RKF) 5-RKF	(5-McCreesh) 5-McCreesh
6	Recitative Zadok Imperial Solomon, thy pray'rs are heard. See, from the op'ning skies Descending flames involve the sacrifice; And lo! within the sacred dome That gleamy light, Profusely bright, Declares the Lord of hosts is come.	6-RKF	6-McCreesh
7	Air Zadok Sacred raptures cheer my breast, Rushing tides of hallow'd zeal, Joys too fierce to be express'd, In this swelling heart I feel. Warm enthusiastic fires In my panting bosom roll, Hope of bliss, that ne'er expires, Dawns upon my ravish'd soul. Sacred raptures. . . da capo	(7-RKF) 7-RKF (7/Warm-RKF) 7/Warm-RKF 7/Sacred-RKF	(7-McCreesh) 7-McCreesh (7/Warm-McCreesh) 7/Warm-McCreesh 7/Sacred-McCreesh (7/ritornello-McCreesh)
8	Chorus of Israelites Throughout the land Jehovah's praise record, For full of pow'r and mercy is the Lord.	8-RKF	8-McCreesh
9	Recitative Solomon Bless'd be the Lord, who look'd with gracious eyes Upon His vassals' humble sacrifice, And has with an approving smile My work o'erpaid, and grac'd the pile.	9-RKF	9-McCreesh
10	Air Solomon What though I trace each herb and flow'r, That drink the morning dew, Did I not own Jehovah's pow'r, How vain were all I knew. Say what's the rest but empty boast, The pedant's idle claim, Who having all the substance lost Attempts to grasp a name. What though. . . da capo	(10-RKF) 10-RKF 10/Say-RKF 10/Say-RKF (10/What-RKF) 10/What-RKF	(10-McCreesh) 10-McCreesh (10/Say-McCreesh) 10/Say-McCreesh (10/What-McCreesh) 10/What-McCreesh (10/ritornello-McCreesh)
Scene 2
To them the Queen.
11	Recitative Solomon And see my queen, my wedded love, You soon my tenderness shall prove; A palace shall erect its head, Of cedar built, with gold bespread; Methinks the work is now begun, The axe resounds on Lebanon, And see, bedeck'd with canvas wings, The dancing vessel lightly springs, While Ophir's mines, well pleas'd, disclose The wealth that in their entrails glows.	11-RKF	11-McCreesh
12	Air Queen Bless'd the day when first my eyes Saw the wisest of the wise! Bless'd the day when I was led To ascend the nuptial bed! But completely bless'd the day, On my bosom as he lay, When he call'd my charms divine, Vowing to be only mine. Bless'd the day. . . da capo	(12-RKF) 12-RKF 12/But-RKF	(12/Bless-McCreesh) 12/Bless-McCreesh 12/Bless/ritornello-McCreesh 12/But-McCreesh 12/Bless-McCreesh (12/ritornello-McCreesh)
13	Recitative Solomon Thou fair inhabitant of Nile, Rejoice thy lover with a smile! Queen O monarch, with each virtue bless'd, The brightest star that gilds the east: No joy I know beneath the sun, But what's compris'd in Solomon. With thee, how quickly fled the winter's night, And short is summer's length of light.	13-RKF	13-McCreesh
14	Duet Queen Welcome as the dawn of day To the pilgrim on his way, Whom the darkness caus'd to stray, Is my lovely king to me. Solomon Myrtle grove, or rosy shade, Breathing odours through the glade To refresh the village maid, Yields in sweets, my queen, to thee.	(14-RKF) 14-RKF	(14-McCreesh) 14/Queen/Welcome-McCreesh 14/Solomon/Myrtle-McCreesh 14/Both-McCreesh (14/ritornello-McCreesh)
15	Recitative Zadok Vain are the transient beauties of the face, Where virtue fails to animate each grace; Bright and more bright her radiant face appears, Nor dreads the canker'd tooth of rolling years: O'er such a partner comfort spreads her wing, And all our life is one perpetual spring.	15-RKF
16	Air Zadok Indulge thy faith and wedded truth With the fair partner of thy youth; She's ever constant, ever kind, Like the young roe, or loving hind.	(16-RKF) 16-RKF
17	Recitative Solomon My blooming fair, come, come away, My love admits of no delay.	17-RKF	17-McCreesh
18	Air Solomon Haste, haste to the cedar grove, Where fragrant spices bloom, And am'rous turtles love, Beneath the pleasing gloom. While thinking down the hill, Avoiding hateful day, The little murm'ring rill In whispers glides away. Haste, haste. . . da capo	(18-RKF) 18-RKF (18/While-RKF) 18/While-RKF 18/Haste-RKF	(18-McCreesh) 18/Haste-McCreesh (18/While-McCreesh) 18/While-McCreesh 18/Haste-McCreesh (18/ritornello-McCreesh)
19	Recitative Queen When thou art absent from my sight, The court I shun, and loathe the light.	19-RKF	19-McCreesh
20	Air Queen With thee th'unshelter'd moor I'd tread, Nor once of fate complain, Though burning suns flash'd round my head, And cleav'd the barren plain. Thy lovely form alone I prize, 'Tis thou that canst impart Continual pleasure to my eyes, And gladness to my heart.	(20-RKF) 20-RKF	(20-McCreesh) 20-McCreesh
??	A recitation not in the Stanford libretto, but in the Naxos one: Recitative Zadok Search round the world, there never yet was seen. So wise a monarch or so chaste a queen.	??-RKF	??-McCreesh
21	Chorus May no rash intruder disturb their soft hours; To form fragrant pillows, arise, oh ye flow'rs! Ye zephirs, soft-breathing, their slumbers prolong, While nightingales lull them to sleep with their song.	(21-RKF) 21-RKF	(21-McCreesh) 21-McCreesh
ACT TWO
Scene 1
Solomon, Zadok, Levite, Chorus of Priests and Israelites.
22	Chorus of Israelites From the censer curling rise Grateful incense to the skies; Heaven blesses David's throne, Happy, happy Solomon! Live, live for ever, pious David's son; Live, live for ever, mighty Solomon.	(22-RKF) 22-RKF (22/Heaven-RKF) 22/Heaven-RKF 22/Happy-RKF 22/Live-RKF	(22-McCreesh) 22-McCreesh 22/Live-McCreesh 22/Live-McCreesh
23	23. Recitative Solomon Prais'd be the Lord, from Him my wisdom springs; I bow in-raptur'd to the King of kings. He led me, abject, to th'imperial state, When weak, and trembling for my future fate; Strengthen'd by Him, each foe with horror fled, Then impious Joab at the altar bled; The death he oft deserv'd stern Schimei found, And Adonijah sunk beneath the wound; Forc'd by his crimes, I spoke a brother's doom. Ah, may his vices perish in his tomb!	23-RKF	23-McCreesh
24	Air Solomon When the sun o'er yonder hills Pours in tides the golden day, Or, when quiv'ring o'er the rills, In the west he dies away; He shall ever hear me sing Praises to th'eternal King.	(24-RKF) 24-RKF	(24-McCreesh) 24-McCreesh
25	Recitative Levite Great prince, thy resolution's just; He never fails, in Heav'n who puts his trust, True worth consists not in the pride of state, 'Tis virtue only makes a monarch great.	25-RKF	25-McCreesh
26	Air Levite Thrice bless'd that wise discerning king, Who can each passion tame, And mount on virtue's eagle wing To everlasting fame: Such shall as mighty patterns stand To princes yet unborn, To honour prompt each distant land, And future times adorn. Thrice bless'd. . . da dapo	(26-RKF) 26-RKF	(26-McCreesh) 26-McCreesh (26/ritornello-McCreesh)
Scene 2
To them an Attendant.
27	Recitative Attendant My sovereign liege, two women stand, And both beseech the king's command To enter here. Dissolv'd in tears The one a new-born infant bears; The other, fierce, and threat'ning loud, Declares her story to the crowd; And thus she clamours to the throng, “Seek we the king, he shall redress our wrong.” Solomon Admit them straight; for when we mount the throne, Our hours are all the people's, not our own.	27-RKF	27-McCreesh
Scene 3
To them the two harlots.
27+	First Harlot Thou son of David, hear a mother's grief; And let the voice of justice bring relief. This little babe my womb conceiv'd, The smiling infant I with joy receiv'd. That woman also bore a son, Whose vital thread was quickly spun: One house we together kept; But once, unhappy, as I slept, She stole at midnight where I lay, Bore my soft darling from my arms away, And left her child behind, a lump of lifeless clay: And now — oh impious! — dares to claim My right alone, a mother's name.	27+-RKF	27+-McCreesh
28	28. Trio First Harlot Words are weak to paint my fears; Heart-felt anguish, starting tears, Best shall plead a mother's cause. To thy throne, O king, I bend, My cause is just, be thou my friend. Second Harlot False is all her melting tale. Solomon Justice holds the lifted scale. Second Harlot Then be just, and fear the laws.	(28-RKF) 28/Words-RKF 28/False-RKF 28/Justice-RKF	(28-McCreesh) 28/Words-McCreesh 28/False-McCreesh 28/Justice-McCreesh (28/ritornello-McCreesh)
29	Recitative Solomon What says the other to th'imputed charge? Speak in thy turn, and tell thy wrongs at large. Second Harlot I cannot varnish o'er my tongue. And colour fair the face of wrong. This babe is mine, the womb of earth Intomb'd, conceals her little birth. Give me my child, my smiling boy, To cheer my breast with new-born joy. Solomon Hear me, women, and the king regard, Who from his throne thus reads the just award: Each claims alike, let both their portions share; Divide the babe, thus each her part shall bear. Quick, bring the faulchion, and the infant smite, Nor further clamour for disputed right.	29-RKF	29-McCreesh
30	Air Second Harlot Thy sentence, great king, Is prudent and wise, And my hopes on the wing Quick bound for the prize. Contented I hear, And approve the decree; For at least I shall tear The lov'd infant from thee.	(30-RKF) 30-RKF (30/Contented-RKF) 30/Contented-RKF	(30-McCreesh) 30-McCreesh (30/Contented-McCreesh) 30/Contented-McCreesh
31	Recitative First Harlot Withhold, withhold the executing hand! Reverse, O king, thy stern command.	31-RKF	31-McCreesh
32	Air First Harlot Can I see my infant gor'd With the fierce relentless sword? Can I see him yield his breath, Smiling at the hand of death? And behold the purple tides Gushing down his tender sides? Rather be my hopes beguil'd, Take him all, but spare my child.	(32-RKF) 32-RKF	(32-McCreesh) 32-McCreesh (32/ritornello-McCreesh)
33	Accompagnato Solomon Israel, attend to what your king shall say: Think not I meant the innocent to slay. The stern decision was to trace with art, The secret dictates of the human heart. She who could bear the fierce decree to hear, Nor send one sigh, nor shed one pious tear, Must be a stranger to a mother's name — Hence from my sight, nor urge a further claim! But you, whose fears a parent's love attest, Receive, and bind him to your beating breast: To you, in justice, I the babe restore, And may you lose him from your arms no more.	33-RKF	33-McCreesh
34	34. Duet First Harlot Thrice bless'd the king, for he's good and he's wise. My gratitude calls streaming tears from my eyes. Solomon The Lord all these virtues has giv'n, Thy thanks be return'd all to Heav'n. 'Tis God that rewards, and will lift from the dust Whom to crush proud oppressors endeavour... First Harlot How happy are those who in God put their trust! Solomon For His mercy endureth for ever.	(34-RKF) 34/Thrice-RKF 34/The-RKF 34/How-RKF 34/For-RKF	(34-McCreesh) 34/Thrice-McCreesh 34/The-McCreesh 34/How-McCreesh 34/For-McCreesh (34/ritornello-McCreesh)
35	35. Chorus of Israelites From the east unto the west, Who so wise as Solomon? Who like Israel's king is bless'd, Who so worthy of a throne.	(35-RKF) 35-RKF 35/Who-RKF	(35-McCreesh) 35-McCreesh 35/Who-McCreesh (35/ritornello-McCreesh)
36	Recitative Zadok From morn to eve I could enraptur'd sing The various virtues of our happy king; In whom, with wonder, we behold combin'd The grace of feature with the worth of mind.	36-RKF	36-McCreesh
37	Air Zadok See the tall palm that lifts the head On Jordan's sedgy side, His tow'ring branches curling spread, And bloom in graceful pride. Each meaner tree regardless springs, Nor claims our scornful eyes; Thus thou art first of mortal kings, And wisest of the wise. See the tall palm. . . da capo	(37-RKF) 37-RKF (37/Each-RKF) 37/Each-RKF	(37-McCreesh) 37-McCreesh (37/Each-McCreesh) 37/Each-McCreesh (37/See-McCreesh) 37/See-McCreesh (37/ritornello-McCreesh)
38	Recitative First Harlot No more shall armed bands our hopes destroy, Peace waves her wing, and pours forth ev'ry joy.	38-RKF	38-McCreesh
39	Air First Harlot Beneath the vine, or fig-tree's shade, Ev'ry shepherd sings the maid Who his simple heart betray'd, In a rustic measure. While of torments he complains, All around the village swains Catch the song, and feel his pains, Mingling sighs with pleasure. Beneath the vine. . . da capo	(39-RKF) 39-RKF (39/While-RKF) 39/While-RKF	(39-McCreesh) 39-McCreesh (39/While-McCreesh) 39-McCreesh (39/Beneath-McCreesh) 39/Beneath-McCreesh (39/ritornello-McCreesh)
40	Chorus of Priests Swell, swell the full chorus to Solomon's praise, Record him, ye bards, as the pride of our days. Flow sweetly the numbers that dwell on his name, And rouse the whole nation in songs to his fame. Swell, swell. . . da capo	40-RKF 40/Flow-RKF End_Act_2-RKF	40-McCreesh 40/Flow-McCreesh 40/Swell-McCreesh
ACT THREE
41	Symphony: arrival of Queen of Sheba Solomon, Queen of Sheba, Zadok, and Chorus of Israelites.	(41-RKF) 41-RKF	(41-McCreesh) 41-McCreesh
42	Recitative Queen of Sheba From Arabia's spicy shores, Bounded by the boary main, Sheba's queen these seats explores, To be taught thy heav'nly strain. Solomon Thrice welcome queen, with open arms Our court receives thee, and thy charms. The temple of the Lord first meets your eyes, Rich with the well-accepted sacrifice. Here all our treasures free behold, Where cedars lie, o'erwrought with gold; Next, view a mansion fit for kings to own, The forest call'd of tow'ring Lebanon, Where art her utmost skill displays, And ev'ry object claims your praise.	42-RKF	42-McCreesh
43	Air Queen of Sheba Ev'ry sight these eyes behold Does a different charm unfold; Flashing gems and sculptur'd gold, Still attract my ravish'd sight. But to hear fair truth distilling, In expressions choice and thrilling, From that tongue so soft and killing, That my soul does most delight.	(43-RKF) 43-RKF (43/But-RKF) 43/But-RKF	(43-McCreesh) 43-McCreesh (43/But-McCreesh) 43/But-McCreesh 43/Ev'ry-McCreesh (43/ritornello-McCreesh)
44	Recitative Solomon Sweep, sweep the string, to soothe the royal fair, And rouse each passion with th'alternate air.	44-RKF	44-McCreesh
45	Solo and Chorus Solomon & Israelites Music, spread thy voice around, Sweetly flow the lulling sound.	45/Solomon-RKF 45/chorus-RKF	45/Solomon-McCreesh 45/Chorus-McCreesh
46	Solo and Chorus Solomon & Israelites Now a diff'rent measure try, Shake the dome, and pierce the sky. Rouse us next to martial deeds; Clanking arms, and neighing steeds, Seem in fury to oppose — Now the hard-fought battle glows.	46/Solomon-RKF 46/Chorus-RKF	46/Solomon-McCreesh 46/Chorus-McCreesh
47	Recitative Solomon Then at once from rage remove; Draw the tear from hopeless love; Lengthen out the solemn air, Full of death and wild despair.	47-RKF	47-McCreesh
48	Chorus of Israelites Draw the tear from hopeless love, Lengthen out the solemn air, Full of death and wild despair.	48-RKF	48-McCreesh
49	Recitative Solomon Next the tortur'd soul release, And the mind restore to peace.	49-RKF	49-McCreesh
50	Solo and Chorus Solomon & Israelites Thus rolling surges rise, And plough the troubled main; But soon the tempest dies, And all is calm again.	(50-RKF) 50/Solomon-RKF 50/chorus-RKF	(50-McCreesh) 50/Solomon-McCreesh 50/Chorus-McCreesh
51	Recitative Queen of Sheba Thy harmony's divine, great king, All, all obey the artist's string. And now, illustrious prince, receive Such tribute as my realm can give. Here, purest gold, from earth's dark entrails torn; And gems resplendent, that outshine the morn; There balsam breathes a grateful smell, With thee the fragrant strangers wish to dwell. Yet of ev'ry object I behold, Amid the glare of gems and gold, The temple most attracts my eye, Where, with unwearied zeal, you serve the Lord on high.	51-RKF	51-McCreesh
52	Air Levite Pious king, and virtuous queen, May your name resound in story; In time's latest annals seen, Crown'd with honour, crown'd with glory.	52-RKF (52/In-RKF) 52/In-RKF	52-McCreesh (52/In-McCreesh) 52/In-McCreesh
53	Recitative Zadok Thrice happy king, to have achiev'd, What scarce will henceforth be believ'd; When seven times around the sphere The sun had led the new-born year, The temple rose, to mark thy days With endless themes for future praise. Our pious David wish'd in vain, By this great act to bless his reign; But Heav'n the monarch's hopes withstood, For ah! his hands were stain'd with blood.	53-RKF	53-McCreesh
54	Air Zadok Golden columns, fair and bright, Catch the mortals' ravish'd sight; Round their sides ambitious twine Tendrils of the clasping vine; Cherubims stand there display'd, O'er the ark their wings are laid: Ev'ry object swells with state, All is pious, all is great.	(54-RKF) 54-RKF	(54-McCreesh) 54-McCreesh
55	Double Chorus Chorus 1 Praise the Lord with harp and tongue! Praise Him all ye old and young, He's in mercy ever strong. Chorus 2 Praise the Lord through ev'ry state, Praise Him early, praise Him late, God alone is good and great. Full Chorus Let the loud Hosannahs rise, Widely spreading through the skies, God alone is just and wise.	(55-RKF) 55/1/harp-RKF 55/2/state-RKF 55/Full/Let-RKF	(55-McCreesh) 55/harp-McCreesh 55/state-McCreesh 55/Full/Let-McCreesh
56	Recitative Solomon Gold now is common on our happy shore, And cedars frequent are as sycamore. All, all conspires to bless my days; Fair plenty does her treasures raise, And o'er the fruitful plains her countless gifts displays.	56-RKF	56-McCreesh
57	Air Solomon How green our fertile pastures look! How fair our olive groves! How limpid is the gliding brook, That through the meadows roves. A hundred diff'rent balmy flow'rs Salute the passing gale, When ev'ning breezes fan the bow'rs, And sweep th'enamell'd vale.	(57-RKF) 57-RKF	(57-McCreesh) 57-McCreesh (57/A-McCreesh) 57/A-McCreesh (57/ritornello-McCreesh)
58	Recitative Queen of Sheba May peace in Salem ever dwell! Illustrious Solomon, farewell! Thy wise instructions be my future care, Soft as the show'rs that cheer the vernal air, Whose warmth bids ev'ry plant her sweets disclose; The lily wakes, and paints the op'ning rose.	58-RKF	58-McCreesh
59	Air Queen of Sheba Will the sun forget to streak Eastern skies with amber ray, When the dusky shades to break He unbars the gates of day? Then demand if Sheba's queen E'er can banish from her thought All the splendour she has seen, All the knowledge thou hast taught.	(59-RKF) 59-RKF	(59-McCreesh) 59-McCreesh (59/repeat-McCreesh) 59/repeat-McCreesh (59/ritornello-McCreesh)
60	Recitative Solomon Adieu, fair queen, and in thy breast May peace and virtue ever rest!	60-RKF	60-McCreesh
61	Duet Queen of Sheba Ev'ry joy that wisdom knows, May'st thou, pious monarch, share! Solomon Ev'ry blessing Heav'n bestows, Be thy portion, virtuous fair! Queen of Sheba Gently flow thy rolling days. Solomon Sorrow be a stranger here. Both May thy people sound thy praise, Praise unbought by price of fear.	(61-RKF) 61/joy-RKF 61/blessing-RKF 61/Gently/Sorrow-RKF	(61-McCreesh) 61/joy-McCreesh 61/blessing-McCreesh 61/Gently/Sorrow-McCreesh (61/ritornello-McCreesh)
62	Chorus of Israelites The name of the wicked shall quickly be past; But the fame of the just shall eternally last.	(62-RKF) 62-RKF	(62-McCreesh) 62-McCreesh

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