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Harry Bicket

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Countertenor

Christophe Dumaux

Julius Caesar

Soprano

Louise Alder

Cleopatra

Paula Murrihy

Sesto

Contralto

Avery Amereau

Cornelia

John Holiday

Tolomeo

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The English Concert

New York City

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Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage

The English Concert: Giulio Cesare in Egitto Händel

Public

Julius Caesar in Egypt

Sharan Allad

Approved

Exuberant and regal: Two of the world’s most noted Baroque orchestras, the English Concert and the Händelfestspielorchester Halle, played “Zadok the Priest” HWV 258 under the baton of Howard Arman as part of the Handel Celebration Concert on 14 April 2009. The performance took place in the spectacular Market Church of Halle, where Handel was baptized in 1685. 

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) composed “Zadok the Priest” for the coronation of the British monarch George II and queen consort Caroline of Ansbach, in 1727. At the time of composition, Handel had already lived in London for over a decade, and he would remain there until his death in 1759. In February 1727, mere months before the coronation of George II, the German born Handel became a British citizen – a highly complicated process at the time, which demonstrates Handel’s commitment to the country.  

“Zadok the Priest” is one of four anthems Handel composed for the coronation celebration in 1727. The work was first played for George II and has been performed at the coronation of every British monarch since then – most recently at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The text for “Zadok the Priest'' was picked by Handel himself. The composer is quoted to have said the following words upon receiving a text suggestion by the bishops: “I have read my Bible very well, and shall choose for myself”. 

The opening of the piece is carried by a ceremonial and regal string section which gradually builds up, before finally bursting into a triumphant eruption of trumpets and a choir which sings:
“Zadok the Priest 
And Nathan the Prophet
Anointed Solomon King” 

The exuberant quality of the choir continues to develop over the following bars and eventually culminates in an ecstatically joyful “God save the King!” – highly fitting for the ceremonial setting it is usually performed in. 

Artists: 
The English Concert 
Händelfestspielorchester Halle 
MDR Rundfunkchor 
Hallenser Madrigalisten 
Händelfestspielchor 
Chor der Oper Halle 
Howard Arman, conductor

Handel: Zadok the Priest | The English Concert & Händelfestspielorchester Halle

An annual highlight at Carnegie Hall is the “luxurious Sunday afternoon featuring the period-instrument ensemble The English Concert, its artistic director and conductor Harry Bicket, and an impeccably cast and performed Handel opera,” wrote The Wall Street Journal after the ensemble’s 2023–2024 concert. This season, The English Concert turns its attention to Giulio Cesare in Egitto, one of Handel’s most popular Baroque operas. With exquisite ensemble work, charismatic singers, and a playful penchant for the theatrical, this concert performance brings to life the ancient dramas of Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, and more.

English

The English Concert by Händel, Fra (2025/2025), Dirigent Harry Bicket, Carnegie Hall, New York City, United States

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