Samson, HWV 57: Let the bright seraphim

SAMSON, HWV 57, is an oratorio in three acts by George Frideric Handel (1685-1759). When he composed it in the autumn of 1741, he had just finished work on The Messiah. The libretto, based on John Milton’s Samson Agonistes, was written by Newburgh Hamilton. The work premiered at Covent Garden in London on February 18, 1743. It achieved so much acclaim that six more performances were presented that season. Originally wanting to end his oratorio on a tragic note, Handel provided a brighter ending with an aria for soprano, “Let the bright Seraphim,” which precedes a celebratory final chorus. Instrumentation: (0.0.2.2 Opt.): 0.1.0.0: Str (2.2.2.1.1): Solo Sop.