Past Events

Oratorio in three acts to an anonymous libretto, first performed in London in 1749.

Composed towards the end of Handel’s life, the oratorio Solomon is one of his most accomplished, combining an almost perfect balance between arias and choruses, exceptional melodic invention that gives us lyrical numbers as unforgettable as the characters they so splendidly portray, and admirable consistency in the choral pieces. From the web of stories surrounding Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, Handel draws sharply contrasting musical landscapes to create a masterpiece.

For four decades, Paul McCreesh has dedicated himself to giving Handel an almost stage-like quality; for Versailles, he is reviving Solomon, having already performed it here to great acclaim in 2010, and is certain to sweep listeners off their feet once again with this powerful, shimmering fresco of burning emotion.

Cast

Tim Mead Solomon

Rowan Pierce The Queen

Hilary Cronin First Harlot

Frances Gregory Second Harlot

Anna Dennis Queen of Sheba

James Way Zadok

Morgan Pearse A Levite

Gabrieli Consort and Players

Paul McCreesh Conductor

“His honeyed tone once again seduced”

~ Backtrack – on Tim Mead

“A creative chameleon … she has brought extraordinary technique, musicianship and versatility to the widest array of achievements … everything she touches bursts with colour”

~ Royal Philharmonic Society – on Anna Dennis