Ferlesch, Barucco & Chor ad Libitum Additional Concert: Handel's Israel in Egypt

Handel's Israel in Egypt

Georg Friedrich Handel's Israel in Egypt is one of his most famous and simultaneously experimental works. While the composer dramatically set the individual fates of biblical figures in many of his oratorios, this time he impressively set the exodus of the people of Israel from Egypt to music: the result is an oratorio in which the choir takes the lead. Among the numerous numbers, there are only a handful of arias, duets, and recitatives performed by a high-caliber ensemble of soloists. In doing so, Handel employs musical means that were highly unusual for his time: above all, the biblical plagues are clothed in almost expressionistic sound garments, brought to life by the choir Ad Libitum and the original-instrument orchestra Barucco under the direction of Heinz Ferlesch.