Susanna, HWV.66
Susanna (HWV 66) is an oratorio by George Frideric Handel, in English. The libretto had been questionably attributed to Newburgh Hamilton but is now thought to have been penned by the poet/playwright Moses Mendes (d.1758). The story is based on that of Susanna in chapter 13 of the Book of Daniel in the Bible. Handel composed the music in the summer of 1748 and premiered the work the next season at Covent Garden theatre, London, on 10 February 1749.
The thirteenth chapter of the book of Daniel, considered apocryphal in Protestant tradition, tells how, during the captivity of the Jews in Babylon, a virtuous young woman was falsely accused of sexual promiscuity by two elders of the community who lusted after her themselves. The prophet Daniel exposed the two elders as liars and vindicated Susanna.
Movements
Act I
- No. 19. Recitative “On Joacim may every joy attend” (Susanna)
- No. 21. Air “Bending to the throne of glory” (Susanna)
Act II
- No. 31. Recitative “Lead me to some cool retreat” (Susanna)
- No. 32. Air “Crystal streams in murmurs flowing” (Susanna)
- No. 34. Air "Ask if yon damask rose be sweet" (Attendant)
- No. 44a. Air “If guiltless blood be your intent” (Susanna)
Act III
- No. 62. Air "Chastity, thou cherub bright" (Daniel)
- No. 64. Air “Gold within the furnace try’d” (Joacim)
- No. 69. Air “Guilt trembling spoke my doom” (Susanna)