Saturday 12 March 2016 at 7:30pm
Sherborne Abbey

Despite being a disaster at its first performance, Handel’s dramatic and colourful oratorio Israel in Egypt went on to reach popularity only exceeded by Messiah. With operatic flourishes and masterful word painting, Handel tells the story of the Israelites, from their bondage in Egypt, the ten plagues, the parting of the Red Sea and victory over the Egyptian army, to their acknowledgement of the power of their God.

There are six solo roles, but the chorus has the starring role in this vivid account of the Bible story from the Book of Exodus, with lots of virtuosic double choruses depicting in dramatic fashion the plagues of frogs, flies, locusts, hailstones and more. With a large orchestra of some of the finest Baroque period players in the country adding to the colour, this is Handel at his dramatic best.

Orchestra leader Alison Bury
Sopranos Pam Coward and Rosie Monaghan
Alto Stephen Harvey
Tenors Rhys Batt and John Willetts
Basses Craig Bissex and William Ellis