Sir Thomas Beecham (1879-1961) was a pioneering conductor not only in the respect of his revivals of English music and opera but also in his introduction of international and lesser-known works to public audiences around the world. He was known by his colleagues as a boisterous and demanding conductor, often politically incorrect and heavily opinionated. Beecham opposed purism, or the belief that the authenticity of the music to the time period is of most importance when interpreting a piece. He displayed this by constantly poking fun at the pedants and pedagogues, using modern orchestras in early music, rearranging scenes and arias of operas, and even rewriting librettos.
Beecham is recognized as the one responsible for reviving the music of Handel. One of the operas he revived was Handel's Solomon, which was performed under his baton for the first time since the 18th century. He is credited with giving the title, "Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" of the sinfonia that begins Act 3.
This is personally my favorite recording because of his conjunctional use of tempi, his unrestrained emphasis on the lush choral harmonies, and his patent commitment to bring out the humanity of the work by making everyone sing as intensive and emotional as possible. Also, the title role of Solomon is sung by a baritone instead of a countertenor :). And it works! I also do not mind the abridgment of the opera.
Overture 0:00
ACT 1
Your harps and cymbals sound (Chorus) 4:17
Almighty Power, who rul’st the earth and skies (Recitative - Solomon) 8:15
With pious heart and holy tongue (Chorus) 10:45
Imperial Solomon, thy prayers are heard (Recitative - Zadok) 15:25
Sacred raptures cheer my breast (Aria - Zadok) 16:09
Blest be the Lord (Recitative - Solomon) 21:14
What though I trace each herb and flower (Aria - Solomon) 21:50
Blessed be the day (Aria - Queen) 25:21
Thou fair inhabitant of Nile (Recitative - Solomon, Queen) 30:55
Welcome as the dawn of day (Duet - Solomon, Queen) 31:48
When thou art absent from my sight (Recitative - Queen) 35:57
With thee the unsheltered moor I’d tread (Aria - Queen) 36:14
My blooming fair, come, come away (Recitative - Solomon) 39:30
May no rash intruder disturb their soft hours “Nightingale Chorus” (Chorus) 39:46
ACT 3 (with parts from ACT 2)
Sinfonia “Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” 43:45
From Arabia’s spicy shores (Recitative - Queen of Sheba) 46:55
Every sight these eyes behold (Aria - Queen of Sheba) 47:26
Sweep, sweep the string to soothe the royal fair (Aria - Solomon) 52:17
Music spread thy voice around (Aria and Chorus - Solomon) 52:39
Now a different measure ( Solomon and Chorus) 56:54
Then at once from rage remove (Recitative - Solomon) 58:56
Draw the tear from hopeless love (Chorus) 59:40
Next the tortur’d soul release (Recitative - Solomon) 1:02:43
Thus rolling surges rise (Solomon and Chorus) 1:03:07
Thy harmony’s divine (Recitative - Queen of Sheba) 1:05:10
From the censer curling rise (Chorus) 1:06:54
From the East unto the West (Chorus) 1:12:51
Thrice happy king (Recitative - Zadok) 1:16:04
Golden columns fair and bright (Aria - Zadok) 1:17:12
**Beneath the vine (Aria - Queen of Sheba) 1:20:32
Gold now is common (Recitative - Solomon) 1:23:52
How green our fertile pastures look (Aria - Solomon) 1:24:32
Swell the full chorus to Solomon’s praise (Chorus) 1:28:53
May peace in Salem ever dwell (Recitative - Queen of Sheba) 1:32:38
Will the sun forget to streak (Aria - Queen of Sheba) 1:33:44
Adieu, fair queen (Recitative - Solomon) 1:38:55
Praise the Lord (Chorus) 1:39:13
**Originally scored for the harlot in Act 2, but Beecham completely omitted the harlot characters
CAST
Solomon, king (baritone): James Cameron
Queen, Pharaoh’s daughter (soprano): Elsie Morison
Nicaule, Queen of Sheba (soprano): Lois Marshall
Zadok, The High Priest (tenor): Alexander Young
Beecham Choral Society
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Directed and Conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham