Judas Maccabaeus

Heidelberg Choral Society presents Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus. Peter Bandy will conduct the choir, along with acclaimed orchestra and soloists: Jacqueline Porter, Sally-Anne Russell, Nicholas Jones and Simon Meadows.

Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus contains glorious melodies.  Written as a compliment to the victorious Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, upon his return from the Battle of Culloden,  Judas Maccabaeus  remains one of Handel’s most popular oratorios.  Handel composed this oratorio at sixty one years of age in 1746, five years after Messiah. It was first performed in London at the Covent Garden Theatre the following year.

With libretto by Thomas Morell, this three act oratorio takes us on an emotional journey with the Jewish people as they rise up against the Seleucid Empire seeking to destroy their faith, resulting in a jubilant victory as the Temple is restored and peace reigns.  The most well-known chorus  See, the Conqu’ring Hero Comes!, composed during the summer of 1747 for his next oratorio Joshua, was so popular Handel added it to Judas Maccabaeus.