Handel Solomon HD

[@wilhelm-z4t]

What an absolutely magnificent work. Beautiful beyond words. Heavenly! It runs the gambit of emotions. The choruses are stupendous! But then, it's Handel. Was he an angel sent by God to bring joy to this otherwise wretched world? Fantastic performance everyone!

[@docmlm6644]

The Solomon Oratorio has always been very special to me as a Bible believer and a lover of music. David was the overcoming triumphant king after God’s own heart, and hence is a type of the Lord Jesus at his first coming. Solomon, on the other hand, means “peace” and his kingdom was a kingdom of peace, security, prosperity. Solomon is a type of the Millennial reign of Christ after his return or second coming, when He comes to redeem and restore His people Israel. As a believer I long for this day when Jesus will be King of Kings and Lord of Lords! The knowledge of God will fill the earth as the waters cover the seas. There will be peace and God’s glory will fill the earth! Solomon represents this, and to me this oratorio fills me with these wonderful thoughts. Thank you for such a spectacular performance of Solomon!

[@mikeburns9109]

MY God, this is just wonderful! Apart from Messiah (which I've known for decades), Handel's oratorios are a new and exciting discovery for me. On purchasing William Cristie's production of 'Theodora,' I thought it must have been Handel's masterpiece, and couldn't be surpassed, but having watched this performance of Solomon at least ten times already and now discovering 'Jephtha,' my admiration for Handel just keeps growing. I love Paul McCreesh's Solomon so much, I bought an earlier recording on a CD set, but I only wish this performance was available on DVD -I'd treasure it forever! Many congratulations to all the players, choir and magnificent soloists, for their spellbinding performance, for I cannot possibly imagine how it could be topped!

[@xieouyang1341]

Ditto for me. I seriously discovered Theodora a few years back and have been enjoying other Handel Oratorios and operas ever since. Such beautiful music he has given us.

[@mikeburns9109]

@@xieouyang1341 Yes indeed!

[@robertburns576]

Welcome to a large and beautiful world! I too followed a similar path... only knowing of "The Messiah" until about 7 years ago, and then discovering "Theodora" and from there on to "Saul", "Solomon", "Susanna", "Jephtha", "Judas Maccabeus", "Israel in Egypt", "Samson", "Semele", and "The Choice of Hercules"... and all of those except "Israel in Egypt" and "Samson" has real 'sticking power' for me. I also purchased copies of "Belshazzar" (Christie) and "Deborah" (King) but haven't had the chance to listen to them yet! I encourage you to go on to "Susanna" next... for me, it is right up there with "Solomon" and "Theodora".

[@petersumner7367]

Handel never gets boring, a master, I do love to watch a performance though, although this is better than a CD quality.

[@louiscarrillo5873]

I feel the same. Just saw a great performance of this at LA Opera . I m hooked listening to this now. A new love ' )

[@LBRS2nd]

When composers and many musicians rejoyced in transcendental metaphysics. ❤

[@marklewis9754]

Whenever I'm feeling low I just listen to this wonderful masterpiece, and other great oratorios and operas by the Great Handel and I'm uplifted! What a great gift he has given to us all!

[@Astor962]

In the 1980s I approached ancient music and Handel was immediately one of my favourite composers. Today, after all these years, each time is like meeting an old friend whom you never tire of listening to. Wonderful performance! Greetings from Florence (Italy)

[@floridante15]

Handelian masterpiece of infinite beauty. Handel forever!

[@kennethlapointesongwriter3330]

'Spare my child'...the tears flow. Nobody wrote like this but Handel. The poorest wretch did see things from hearing this musick...

[@ramonsobrino4164]

ACT I Music begins at 1:16 5:15 - CHORUS OF THE PRIESTS: "Your harps and cymbals sound" 8:24 (Levite - air) Praise ye the Lord for all his mercies past 13:18 - CHORUS: "With pious heart" 17:39 - SOLOMON: "Almighty power" 20:18 - ZADOK: "Imperial Solomon" 28:40 (Solomon - air) What though I trace each herb and flow'r 35:19 (Queen - air) Bless'd the day when first my eyes 40:30 (Queen Solomon - duet) Welcome as the dawn of day to the pilgrim on his way 43:55 (Solomon - air) Haste to the cedar grove ACT II 52:42 - CHORUS: "From the censer curling rise" 1:21:45 (First harlot, Solomon - duet) Thrice bless'd that wise discerning King 1:25:02 - CHORUS: "From the east unto the west" From 1:34:02 to 1:37:44 the image is freezed 1:38:42 - CHORUS: "Swell the full chorus to Solomon's praise" ACT III 1:41:31 Sinfonia ("Arrival of the Queen of Sheba") 1:44:23 Recit. QUEEN OF SHEBA & SOLOMON: Form Arabia's spicy shores 1:45:37 Air QUEEN OF SHEBA: Ev'ry sight these eyes behold 1:49:35 Recit SOLOMON: Sweep, sweep the string 1:49:51 Aria SOLOMON, CHORUS: Music, spread thy voice around 1:53:17 SOLOMO, CHORUS: Now a diff'rente measure try 1:54:55 Recit SOLOMON: Then at once 1:55:28 CHORUS: Draw the tear from hopeless love 1:58:05 Recit SOLOMON: Next the tortur'd 1:58:24 SOLOMON & CHORUS: Thus rolling surges rise 2:01:31 QUEEN OF SHEBA: Thy Harmony's divine 2:02:51 LEVITE: Pious king, and virtuous queen 2:05:39. Recit ZADOK: Thrice happy king 2:06:28 Air ZADOK: Golden columns 2:09:31 Double CHORUS: Praise the Lord 2:13:40 Recit & Air SOLOMON: Gold now is common 2:16:08 Recit & Air QUEEN OF SHEBA: May peace in Salem 2:23:09 Recit SOLOMON: Adieu, fair queen 2:23:29 Duo QUEEN OF SHEBA & SOLOMON: Ev'ry joy that wisdom knows 2:26:00 CHORUS: The name of the wicked

[@mariohenriqueleitealencar2514]

God bless Handel and the musicians. My soul rises to the sky.

[@guyherter5286]

Cet enregistrement est un chef d'œuvre du chef d'œuvre de F Haendel Merci

[@emekaugah8641]

I love this…. No breaks. Everything done quickly. The orchestra are exceptional

[@shnimmuc]

One of the greatest works of the Baroque or any other period.

[@kcmerced9512]

Glory to God, in the Highest! (thank you for this...)

[@petersumner7367]

A noble and gracious Solomon with 2 amazing Queens, made me gasp, cry and laugh - sheer joy!

[@obrcht]

"Handel is the most solid of composers" - Beethoven

[@davidandolivia7201]

Yes!! Beethoven and Mozart both said Handel was the greatest composer that ever lived, and who and I to contest them!! :) Since I am not a composer, but a HUGE Handel fan, I concur, Mozart is my second favorite!!

[@philipmclauchlan6821]

The best Handel performed by great performers like this represents in my opinion the peak of western musical culture. I am away from home listening on a rubbish TV loudspeaker, and the power of the great choruses is mostly lost. However the subtleties of "With thee th'unshelter'd moor I'd tread" and "May no rash intruder" are still spine-tingling. Not possible to explain the effect this music has on me in words.

[@franzl6153]

2:09:30 Praise the lord!! This chorus makes me cry with emotion and happiness. It's sublime, it transports me to heaven 🌌 Handel at his peak

[@robjohnston1433]

The "Lord" had nothing to do with it! "He" is fictional!

[@Sshooter444]

​@@robjohnston1433 i bet you're fun at parties

[@davidfranklin272]

Wonderful. The Counter-Tenor is excellent.

[@markanderson3376]

An excellent performance of this overlooked Handel masterpiece.

[@yveslaplace9633]

Quel cadre merveilleux que celui de La Chapelle Royale du château de Versailles pour interpréter cet oratorio de Georges-Frédéric Haendel . Magnifique et sublime musique , les chœurs ainsi que les chanteurs .

[@RoyceLopez777]

Handel’s operas are truly and divinely impeccable

[@mp353]

True, but this is an oratorio.

[@h.k9697]

2:09:33 Praise the lord 🎶 I'm crying listening to this, I feel like I'm flying in the sky, very beautiful, very powerful music that goes straight to the heart. Thanks

[@jeanrobertpecourt4452]

Oeuvre magnifique que j'ai eu la chance d'interpréter au sein du choeur Collegium Musicum de Bâle. Voilà ce qui ne me rajeunit pas.... c'était le 23 novembre 1985. Ici l'oeuvre est intrépétée de façon magistrale. Bravo!

[@shadbolt4687]

Sensational recital of one of the master's greatest works.

[@olgaerler4111]

Вчера посмотрела эту ораторию в берлинской филармонии. Гениально. Спасибо за ролик.

[@paultalbott1118]

Best performance of Solomon!!

[@lucasreccitelli846]

ACT ONE 5:15 - CHORUS OF THE PRIESTS: "Your harps and cymbals sound" 13:18 - CHORUS: "With pious heart" 17:39 - SOLOMON: "Almighty power" 20:18 - ZADOK: "Imperial Solomon" ACT TWO 52:42 - CHORUS: "From the censer curling rise" 1:25:02 - CHORUS: "From the east unto the west" 1:38:42 - CHORUS: "Swell the full chorus to Solomon's praise"

[@-cloudsaboveuscrying-6805]

Grande profe gracias!😄

[@AntonioSaucedo22]

The duet, simply magical.

[@jobebrian]

"Let no rash intruder" (the nightingale chorus) begins at 49:00. And it's stellar, just like the rest of it.

[@paacer]

Wonderful

[@robertburns576]

Yes! So many favorite moments in this oratorio... but I think that chorus may take the cake. Just gorgeous!

[@rogernadal9577]

Impressive. Certainly the best performance of this oratorio I've ever seen or listened to (even their own recording of it).

[@Lydia4Seniors]

Beautiful! The tenor was amazing! He was the only one you could understand every word.

[@sheri1983]

Beethoven: Handel? he's the greatest of all of us. that's accurate.

[@DieterGreulich]

Wirklich ausdrucksstarke Interpretation von Händels Solomon!

[@lizzyborg]

Absolutely lovely! Thank you very much for posting. I liked the version with Scholl but this performance, these voices, are so much lovelier! And who could not be seduced by the sweet glances the “royal couple” cast towards each other? I love them both 💖💖

[@lizzyborg]

My one regret is the omission of Zadok’s recitative and air towards the end of Act 1.

[@bobsala7780]

There's so much beautiful music here but my favorite has to be at 1:38:43 when the full chorus swells to sing Solomon’s praise and the bards record him as the pride of our days.

[@arthurfilemon6038]

@52:42 by far the most beautiful, baroque Handel oratorio chorus!

[@СергейВолков-к8ц3я]

Очень, очень увлекательно играют и поют ! Дирижер - душка ! Спасибо .

[@shin-i-chikozima]

Solomon has a healing effect and a wonderful exilir of the soul What a versatile composer Handel was ❗

[@Vanchy58]

Excelente y maravillosa interpretación del oratorio Solomon de G. F. Handel. Pocas veces había escuchado una versión tan bien realizada de este impresionante oratorio handeliano. Gracias por subir tan valioso documento musical a KZbin. Hoy se hace más difícil en mi país conseguir estas joyas musicales en grabación de video DVD o Blue ray.

[@emilpeicu8117]

Multumim ptr acest efort de a ne pune la dispozitie o asa muzica frumos interpretata si de o foarte buna calitate. Merci !

[@jeanrenecelerse4906]

Peut-être le plus bel oratorio de Handel… Interprétation parfaite… Merci !

[@salvinom.7832]

Questo oratorio è una meraviglia. Bellissima l'aria in 43:55 Haste to the cedar grove.

[@drc4168]

Jesus. Flawless. Sarah Tynan is in a different league. ❤

[@Ohmereb]

Pour moi je trouve les choeurs puissants, puissants oui pour ceux qui ont de bonnes oreilles ❤❤

[@gostodeouvir]

Muito, muito bom... ouvir Handel numa Capela, um sonho...

[@haroldfrancisturner6351]

The voice of the young lady is wonderful ❤️😊

[@DaveO1310]

Wow, that beginning just makes me smile! So beautiful and so obviously Handel! Heavenly music. Great sections at 15:18, 49:08

[@Grzegorz1972]

Bravo kontratenor. ❤❤❤

[@zoltanmeksz7625]

Excellent production! Congratulations!

[@christofferlunoe1305]

Bravo...excellent in any way,..such a joy !

[@richardque4952]

Great music great acoustic👌👌👌

[@1y167]

La réverbération de la chapelle est maîtrisée: bravo !

[@jonasnyador77]

one of the smoothest baritone soloist

[@최성욱-x2g]

1 King 3:16 - 28 16. Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him. 17. And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house. 18. And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house. 19. And this woman's child died in the night; because she overlaid it. 20. And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom. 21. And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear. 22. And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king. 23. Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living. 24. And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king. 25. And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other. 26. Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it. 27. Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof. 28. And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment. 1King 10:1 - 3 1. And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions. 2. And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. 3. And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not.

[@oforiebenezer3574]

Divine wisdom never lack

[@neerajkerkar]

“From the censer” is so magnificent!

[@roxannegordon6162]

OK I'm getting seriously frightened now hearing this. What gorgeous music so well done. The orchestra I play (violin) is doing this Nov 2018. It's now March. I wonder if I can get the music and start practicing?? I better ask the conductor. I'll need the 7 months to do it justice. yikes!!!

[@ewaldsteyn469]

So how was your performance last November?

[@dirkheijkoop6510]

Thank you very much for sharing!

[@marinofavaretto6657]

conoscevo la versione di sir Gardiner ma anche questa è godibilissima ........bravo il contro tenore

[@IshiTheLastYihi]

I first got acquainted with "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" thanks to my Commodore 64 as a kid, a rendition made by Professor Andrew Colin for the C64's SID chip, written purely in BASIC. It was delightful, and I've loved the song ever since. So today (decades later), I thought I'd explore more of the context around the song and am enjoying this ;)

[@palette_1563]

2:17:10 Love the haunting feel of "Will the sun forget to streak"

[@coscoexotic]

that oboe hits hard

[@blueflower4921]

Watching and listening to this excellent performance in autumn 2020, I see so many people in this hall (or chapel), with a good few dozen of them singing. When will be able to do that again in real life? 😷🙁

[@ΑΡΙΣΤΕΙΔΗΣ-ρ7μ]

Handel & Bach giants Εμένα είναι οι δύο πιο αγαπημένοι μου από όλοκληρη την τοιχογραφία της μπαρόκ, ωστόσο ο μεγαλύτερος όλων ήταν ο beethoven στη δική μου συνείδηση, άλλωστε έτσι κι αλλιώς αντικειμενικοτητα δεν υπάρχει.

[@fbfgca]

Muchas gracias, molte grazie, merci beaucoup, vielen Dank!

[@felixfernandezdecastro6251]

Muchísimas gracias por el perfeccionismo de este vídeo

[@papagen00]

Absolutely brilliant performance of a musical masterpiece. I place Handel alongside Mozart in his ability to turn carboard characters into flesh and blood. And has anyone written a happier chorus than the "Happy happy Solomon" double chorus? (OK maybe the opening chorus of Acis and Galatea is close 😁)

[@deniseeulert2503]

I heard this oratorio performed in 1985, at Kansas State University in Manhattan Kansas.

[@gabbleratchet1890]

2:12:58 - Just unbelievable. So majestic.

[@quodsciam]

Thank you SO MUCH.

[@ALEXISVASSILIEV]

Fabuleux! Merci! Grazie!

[@franciscojavierdelavega420]

Como siempre .... Magnífico .... Sensacional

[@mississippibluestravellers5440]

An excellent performance. Thanks for posting it.

[@patriciarogel5941]

¡Maravilloso!

[@booklover3959]

Handel's music is so beautiful! I keep discovering new stuff all the time. Is this their new album and how many people were in the band? Lol

[@igur20]

Oratorio Salomón Duetto de la Reina de Saba con Salomón. Min 34´25 hasta min 43. Espléndida interpretación,

[@cyoalencar6267]

God bless Handel.

[@BESTOFCLASSICALMUSIC]

I like this better than the others I've heard.

[@classicbird2627]

Me too.

[@psalmtone2008]

I have to say I like the countertenor Solomon, and the sound is actually crisper than Gardiner's excellent version -- especially live!

[@olpetkop9042]

This is great! Everything is in the glory of the Lord!

[@Sshooter444]

Fantastic performance bravi

[@aulusagerius7127]

Praise the Lord! 💥

[@evansmozart2738]

Magnificent 👌

[@karlberlin5422]

Genuss pur. Danke dafür.

[@LucianaOrion]

Sensacional!

[@charlesmcnicol]

What a wonderful performance this is of what I think is one of Handel’s finest oratorios! It makes a very interesting comparison with the John Eliot Gardiner CD, which was recorded in June 1984, in which the title role is taken by a female mezzo, Carolyn Watkinson. In my view, Iestyn Davies is outstanding. In the sleeve notes to the Gardiner version, the final chorus (at 62) is described as “surprisingly banal”. So they substitute the penultimate double chorus (at 55) to end the work. I’m not sure I necessary agree with the “banal” description of the relatively brief chorus of Israelites at 62. But I do think that the double chorus with which the Gardiner version ends does make a splendid conclusion to the piece.

[@PedroCucuchucho]

Está chida la interpretación. El maese Haendel hacía chillar el trompo. El Sajón realmente la hizo en England.

[@hongkyulee8775]

제1부 1. 서곡 2. 복합창 현악과 심벌 가지고 찬양 3. 영창 (베이스: 레위) 자비의 주님께 찬양하라 4. 복합창 거룩한 마음 다하여 5. 서창 (알토: 솔로몬) 하늘과 땅 다스리는 주 6. 서창 (테너: 사독) 솔로몬 왕께서 서창 (테너: 사독) 하늘이 열리고 7. 영창 (테너: 사독) 내 가슴이 떨리네 8. 복합창 온 땅이 여호와를 찬양할지니 9. 서창 (알토: 솔로몬) 복 주소서 10. 영창 (알토: 솔로몬) 아침의 이슬같은 꽃 무슨 소용있나 11. 서창 (알토: 솔로몬) 나의 사랑, 왕비 보라 20. 영창 (소프라노: 왕비) 나 그대와 둘이서 함께라면 21. 서창 (테너: 사독) 온 세상에 더 지혜로운 왕 22. 합창 아무도 경솔히 방해치 말라 제2부 23. 복합창 주의 제단 앞에 감사의 예물 올려 드리자 28. 서창 (테너: 시종, 알토: 솔로몬, 소프라노: 여인 1) 왕이시여 29. 영창·삼중창 (소프라노: 여인 1, 2, 알토: 솔로몬) 제가 가진 두려움 말로 표현 못하네 30. 서창 (알토: 솔로몬, 소프라노: 여인 2) 다른 여자여 31. 영창 (소프라노: 여인 2) 왕의 판결이 신중하도다 32. 서창 (소프라노: 여인 1) 멈추시오 집행하는 자여 33. 영창 (소프라노: 여인 1) 피를 흘리는 아기 어찌 볼 수 있을까 34. 서창 (알토: 솔로몬) 너희에게 내가 말하노라 36. 합창 동에서 서쪽까지 37. 서창 (테너: 사독) 하루 종일 38. 영창 (테너: 사독) 종려나무 가지 보라 41. 합창 목소리 높여 솔로몬 왕께 찬양드리세 제3부 42. 신포니아 43. 서창 (소프라노: 시바의 여왕, 알토: 솔로몬) 아라비아 해안에 있는 44. 영창 (소프라노: 시바의 여왕) 모든 광경을 보라 45. 서창 (알토: 솔로몬) 여왕의 무리 위로 하리니 46. 영창·합창 (알토: 솔로몬) 노래, 울려 퍼지게 하라 47. 영창 (알토: 솔로몬) 자, 전열을 갖춰라 복합창 사기가 충천하여 48. 서창 (알토: 솔로몬) 치열한 싸움으로 49. 합창 찢기고 파멸되니 50. 서창 (알토: 솔로몬) 고통이 사라지고 51. 영창·합창 파도가 요동하고 54. 서창 (테너: 사독) 행복하신 왕이여 55. 영창 (테너: 사독) 금기둥으로 세운 멋진 광경을 보라 56. 복합창 현악과 노래로 주님을 찬양하라 61. 서창 (알토: 솔로몬) 여왕이여 잘 가시오 62. 이중창 (소프라노: 시바의 여왕, 알토: 솔로몬) 신실한 왕이시여 63. 복합창 사악한 자들의 이름은 빨리 사라지리라

[@TalliferUpplands]

Music begins at 1:16

[@jeulkroipa6845]

Bonjour, for all intents and purposes, there is a bug in this video from 1:34:02 to 1:37:46

[@susu9666]

Beautiful

[@geosantos2230]

43:34 - "Haste, haste to the cedar grove".

[@josquin101554]

Just wow!

[@JohnSmith-xw2dw]

Chills!!

[@nigelbryan7312]

Iestyn Davies 💞💞💞💞 great voice and drama

[@NG6104]

SUPERBE!!!

[@gilbertobecerra3090]

Sublime

[@palette_1563]

From The East Unto The West 1:25:02

[@gianablack6651]

thanks！

[@thesaucegroup1877]

1:39:00 1:49:37(& the piece after)

[@louisadu-amoah1504]

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. 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! 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. 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. 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 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. Scene 3 To them the two harlots. 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. 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. 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. 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. 31. Recitative First Harlot Withhold, withhold the executing hand! Reverse, O king, thy stern command. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 38. Recitative First Harlot No more shall armed bands our hopes destroy, Peace waves her wing, and pours forth ev'ry joy. 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,

[@palette_1563]

Swell The Full Chorus 1:38:40