DESCRIPTION:
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

Susanna (oratorio in three parts), HWV 66 (1748)

Libretto: Newburgh Hamilton (?)

Part I.
00:00 - 1. Overture
04:19 - 2. Scene 1: How long, oh Lord, shall Israel groan? (Choir)
07:51 - 3. Scene 1: Clouds o'ertake the brightest day (Joacim)
12:53 - 4. Scene 1: When thou art nigh (Joacim, Susanna)
17:07 - 5. Scene 1: Who fears the Lord may dare all foes (Chelsias)
21:31 - 6. Scene 1: When first I saw my lovely maid (Joacim)
26:10 - 7. Scene 1: Would custom bid (Susanna)
33:16 - 8. Scene 1: Peace crown'd with roses (Chelsias)
35:25 - 9. Scene 1: Without the swain's assiduous care (Susanna)
41:02 - 10. Scene 1: The parent bird in search of food (Joacim)
47:21 - 11. Scene 2: On Joacim may every joy attend (Susanna)
48:34 - 12. Scene 2: Bending to the throne of glory (Susanna)
53:58 - 13. Scene 3: Tyrannic love (First Elder)
55:44 - 14. Scene 3: Ye verdant hills, ye balmy vales (First Elder)
58:31 - 15. Scene 4: Say, is it fit that age? (First Elder, Second Elder)
1:00:40 - 16. Scene 4: The oak that for a thousand years (Second Elder)
1:04:13 - 17. Scene 4: When the trumpet sounds to arms (First Elder)
1:08:21 - 18. Scene 4: Righteous heav'n beholds their guile (Chorus)

Part II.
1:13:34 - 19. Scene 1: Frost nips the flowers (Joacim)
1:14:05 - 20. Scene 1: On fair Euphrates' verdant side (Joacim)
1:20:04 - 21. Scene 2: Lead me to some cool retreat (Susanna)
1:20:20 - 22. Scene 2: Crystal streams in murmurs flowing (Susanna)
1:28:53 - 23. Scene 2: Ask if yon damask rose (Attendant)
1:31:51 - 24. Scene 2: Beneath the cypress' gloomy shade (Attendant)
1:34:22 - 25. Scene 3: But hark, what sudden noise? (Susanna)
1:34:45 - 26. Scene 3: Blooming as the face of spring (First Elder)
1:39:49 - 27. Scene 3: The torrent that sweeps in its course (Second Elder)
1:44:25 - 28. Scene 3: Away, ye tempt me both in vain (Susanna, First, Second Elder)
1:46:37 - 29. Scene 4: I caught the fair delinquent (Second Elder)
1:47:14 - 30. Scene 4: If guiltless blood be your intent (Susanna)
1:55:54 - 31. Scene 4: Let justice reign (Chorus)
1:57:54 - 32. Scene 5: Is fair Susanna false? (Joacim)
1:58:25 - 33. Scene 5: On the rapid whirlwind's wing (Joacim)
2:03:18 - 34. Scene 5: Oh Joacim, thy wedded truth! (Chorus)

Part III.
2:07:09 - 35. Scene 1: The cause is decided
2:09:08 - 36. Scene 1: Faith displays her rosy wing (Susanna)
2:13:26 - 37. Scene 1: Round thy urn my tears shall flow (First Elder)
2:18:19 - 38. Scene 1: 'Tis not age's sullen face (Daniel)
2:24:01 - 39. Scene 1: Impartial heav'n! (Chorus)
2:30:35 - 40. Scene 1: Chastity, thou cherub bright (Daniel)
2:37:20 - 41. Scene 2: Gold within the furnace try'd (Joacim)
2:41:40 - 42. Scene 2: Raise your voice to sounds of joy (Chelsias)
2:44:54 - 43. Scene 2: Bless'd be the day that gave Susanna birth! (Chorus)
2:46:55 - 44. Scene 2: Guilt trembling spoke my doom (Susanna)
2:53:29 - 45. Scene 2: To my chaste Susanna's praise (Joacim, Susanna)
2:56:21 - 46. Scene 2: A virtuous wife shall soften Fortune's frown (Chorus)

Susanna (soprano) - Lorraine Hunt
Joacim, her husband (countertenor) - Drew Minter
Chelsias, her father & Judge (bass) - William Parker
Daniel & Attendant (soprano) - Jill Feldman
First Elder (tenor) - Jeffrey Thomas
Second Elder (bass) - David Thomas

The U.C. Berkeley Chamber Chorus & the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, dir Nicholas McGegan (1990)

Painting: Susanna and the Elders, Guido Reni