About the Performance
Judas Maccabaeus premiered at Covent Garden in 1747. At the same time as being one of Handel's most enduring oratorios it is a direct and highly political statement about the, then, recent Jacobite uprising and as such remains provocative to this day. Composed by Handel in his role as chief propagandist of the House of Hanover, it has words written by Thomas Morrell to celebrate the Duke of Cumberland's victory over the Scottish rebels at Culloden, its most famous chorus being See, the conqu'ring hero comes.
The work has been popular since its first performances in the Scottish Enlightenment period, moving audiences with familiar melodies, high drama and powerful choruses. With a star line up of soloists and William Christie conducting the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, this promises to open the Festival in style.
This event will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s 'Performance on 3' programme at 7:00pm, 14 September 2009. The programme will then be available for streaming and download for one week at bbc.co.uk/iplayer.
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