A part of the Sydney Solstice Festival 2021 program, Concordia Ensemble's abridgement of Handel's Athalia will represent their first foray into the wonderful world of oratorio.
Full of rich, three-dimensional characters, Athalia explores the complexities of human nature and the interrelation of politics and religion. Written and premiered in 1733, Handel navigates Samuel Humphreys' libretto, exposing the thoughts of the characters through intimately sorrowful laments, pensive reflections on faith and thunderously angered ariosos.
Dramatic, agitated and fearful, the opening of our abridgement sees the title character, Athalia, recount having nightmares about a young boy murdering her. Plagued by this fear, the pagan Queen searches the Jewish temple for the boy. Little does she know that her encounter will lead to her spiralling downfall and death.
Set in the historic setting of St Stephens Uniting Church, Concordia Ensemble abridges the performance to 1 hour and 30 minutes with a charming organ accompaniment. The performance will also feature insert arias from Handel's other works including Jeptha, Theodora, Israel in Egypt, The Occasional Oratorio and Esther.
Dramatic, agitated and fearful, the opening of our abridgement sees the title character, Athalia, recount having nightmares about a young boy murdering her. Plagued by this fear, the pagan Queen searches the Jewish temple for the boy. Little does she know that her encounter will lead to her spiralling downfall and death.
Set in the historic setting of St Stephens Uniting Church, Concordia Ensemble abridges the performance to 1 hour and 30 minutes with a charming organ accompaniment. The performance will also feature insert arias from Handel's other works including Jeptha, Theodora, Israel in Egypt, The Occasional Oratorio and Esther.
Cast and MusiciansAthalia Natasha Gesto
Josabeth Claire Burrell-Mcdonald Joad Michael Burden Abner Jeremy Boulton Mathan Alexander Caldwell Joas Ella Orehek-Coddington Soprano Soloist Molly Ryan Countertenor Soloist Robert Adam Tenor Soloist Alexander Young Bass Soloist Aidan O'Donnell Athalia Understudy. Lana Kains Organist Stacey Yang Repetiteurs Jamie-Lee Xu and Joanna Li Creative TeamDirector: Ella Orehek-Coddington
Music Director: Stacey Yang Artistic Advisor: Barry Ryan OAM Stage Manager: Jacob Lawler Stage Hands and Page Turning: James Parbery and Julia Nie Sung in English with an approximate run time of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
ProgramAccompagnato: “What scenes of horror round me rise!”
Recitative: “O Mathan!” Accompagnato: “O Athalia, tremble at thy fate!” “Tune your harps” from Esther Recitative: “Her form at this began to fade” "His sceptre is the rod of righteousness" from Occasional Oratorio Recitative: “Amidst these horrors” Air: “Gentle airs” Air: “Softest sounds” Recitative: “Swift to the temple” “The enemy said; I will pursue” from Israel in Egypt Recitative: “My Josabeth” Air: “Faithful cares in vain extended” Recitative: “Oh cease” Air: “Gloomy tyrants” Recitative: “Ah, were this land from proud oppression freed” Air: “Ah, canst thou but prove me!” Recitative: “Thou dost the ardour that I wish display" Air: “Will God, whose mercies ever flow” Recitative: “’Tis my intention” Air: “My vengeance awakes me” Duet: “My spirits fade” Recitative: “Dear Josabeth” Duet: “Cease thy anguish” Recitative (Joad, Joas, Josabeth): “Eliakim” “For ever blessed be Thy holy name” from Jeptha Recitative: “O Princess” Air: “Soothing Tyrant” Recitative: “Apostate Priest!” “Lord to thee each night and day” from Theodora Recitative: “Oh, treason” Air: “Opression, no longer I dread thee” Recitative: “Where am I?” Air: “Hark!” Recitative: “Yes, proud apostate” Air: “To darkness eternal” Recitative: “Now, Joasbeth” Duet: “Joys, in gentle trains appearing” |
Dates and VenueDate and Time: Friday 11th June at 7pm
Performance Venue: St Stephen's Uniting Church, Macquarie Street Transport: accessible by train and bus at Martin Place Station, or a short walk from Town Hall, Wynyard and St James stations 
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