Composer

:

George Frederick Handel

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Oratorio

Compose Date

:

ca. 1718

Average_duration

:

96:55

Movement_count

:

35

Movement ....

Esther, HWV 50a is an oratorio composed by George Frederick Handel in 1718. It was first performed on August 2, 1718, at the King's Theatre in London. The oratorio is based on the biblical story of Esther, a Jewish queen who saves her people from genocide. The oratorio is divided into three acts and features a total of 42 movements. The first act sets the scene and introduces the main characters, including Esther, King Ahasuerus, and the villainous Haman. The second act focuses on Esther's efforts to save her people, including her famous plea to the king in "Tune your harps to cheerful strains." The third act features the triumph of the Jews over their enemies and concludes with a joyful chorus. One of the most notable characteristics of Esther is its use of dance music. Handel incorporates several dance movements, including minuets, bourrées, and gavottes, into the oratorio. This reflects the popularity of dance music in 18th-century England and adds a lively, festive element to the work. Another notable characteristic of Esther is its use of choral music. Handel employs a large chorus throughout the oratorio, which adds to the grandeur and majesty of the work. The chorus is used to great effect in the final movement, "The Lord our enemy has slain," which features a triumphant fugue. Overall, Esther is a masterful work that showcases Handel's skill as a composer. Its use of dance music and choral music, as well as its dramatic storytelling, make it a timeless masterpiece of the oratorio genre.

More....