Saul - Handel - Act I - Mackerras

Saul
Handel
Act I


Libretto: Charles Jennens
http://opera.stanford.edu/iu/libretti...

Sir Charles Mackerras (Conductor) - 1973
English Chamber Orchestra
Leeds Festival Chorus
Donald McIntyre - Saul
James Bowman - David
Margaret Price - Merab
Sheila Armstrong - Michal
Ryland Davies - Jonathan
John Winfield - Abner
Stafford Dean - Doeg
John Winfield - Witch of Endor
Stafford Dean - Apparition of Samuel
Gerald English - High Priest
Gerald English - An Amalekite

ACT I

1. Overture

1.1. Allegro
1.2. Larghetto 04:35
1.3. Allegro 07:01
1.4. Andante Larghetto 10:16

Scene 1
An Epinicion or Song of Triumph, for the victory
over Goliath and the Philistines.

2a. Chorus of Israelites
How excellent Thy name 14:18

3. Air (soprano)
An infant rais'd by Thy command 16:54

4. Trio
Along the monster atheist strode 18:47

5. Chorus of Israelites
The youth inspir'd by Thee 19:52

2b. Chorus of Israelites
How excellent Thy name 20:14
Hallelujah! 22:11

------

Scene 2
Saul, Jonathan, Merab, Michal and Abner,
introducing David and the High Priest.

6. Recitative
Michal
He comes, he comes! 23:45

7. Air
Michal
O godlike youth, by all confess'd 23:54

8. Recitative
Abner, Saul, David
Behold, O king, the brave, victorious youth 27:28

9. Air
David
O king, your favours with delight 28:24

10. Recitative
Jonathan
Oh,early piety! Oh, modest merit! 30:48

11. Air
Merab
What abject thoughts a prince can have! 31:23

12. Recitative
Merab (aside, to Jonathan)
Yet think on whom this honour you bestow 33:56

13. Air
Jonathan
Birth and fortune I despise! 34:22

14. Recitative
High Priest
Go on, illustrious pair! 39:22

15. Air
High Priest
While yet thy tide of blood runs high 39:48

16. Recitative
Saul
Thou, Merab, first in birth, be first in honour 42:09

17. Air
Merab
My soul rejects the thought with scorn 42:37

18. Air
Michal
See, with what a scornful air 44:08

19. Air
Michal
Ah, lovely youth, wast thou design'd 45:17

20. Symphony 46:23

21. Recitative
Michal
Already see the daughters of the land 47:33

----

Scene 3
Saul, Michal, Chorus.

22. Chorus of Israelites
Welcome, welcome, mighty king! 48:11

23. Accompagnato
Saul
What do I hear? Am I then sunk so low 49:30

24. Chorus of Israelites
David his ten thousands slew 49:49

25. Accompagnato
Saul
To him ten thousands, and to me but thousands! 50:30

26. Air
Saul
With rage I shall burst his praises to hear! 50:49

-------

Scene 4
27. Recitative
Jonathan, Michal
Imprudent women! Your ill-timed comparisons 52:23

28. Air
Michal
Fell rage and black despair possess'd 53:12

29. Recitative
High Priest
This but the smallest part of harmony 56:14

30. Accompagnato
High Priest
By Thee this universal frame 56:52

-------

Scene 5
Saul, David, Jonathan, Merab, Michal, Abner, High Priest.

31. Recitative
Abner
Racked with infernal pains, ev'n now the king 59:38

32. Air
David
O Lord, whose mercies numberless 01:00:00

33. Symphony (Harp Solo) 01:03:43

34. Recitative
Jonathan
'Tis all in vain; his fury still continues 01:05:36

35. Air
Saul
A serpent, in my bosom warm'd 01:05:55

36. Recitative
Saul
Has he escap'd my rage? 01:08:06

37. Air
Merab
Capricious man, in humour lost 01:08:32

-------

Scene 6

38. Accompagnato
Jonathan
O filial piety! O sacred friendship! 01:12:59

39. Air
Jonathan
No, cruel father, no! 01:14:55

40. Air
High Priest
O Lord, whose providence 01:16:51

41. Chorus
Preserve him for the glory of Thy name 01:18:52