Handel Consort & Quire - Joshua

Joshua recounts the biblical story of Joshua as the leader of the ancient Israelites. The story follows the Israelites from their passage over the Jordan River into Caanan and through the Battle of Jericho. The work also includes a love story elaborated from a few hints in the Biblical narrative between Caleb's daughter Achsah and Othniel, a young soldier.

It contains many exhilarating choruses from the sprightly opening chorus to the incredible depiction of the walls of Jericho being levelled "The nations tremble at the mighty sound" during "Glory to God" as the choir and orchestra sing and play undulating, alternating notes and dotted rhythms to cleverly emulate the crumbling structures. Handel's 2nd-most-famous chorus "See the conquering Hero comes" was originally written for this oratorio but is more widely known in Judas Maccabaeus which is the more famous oratorio.

"O Had I Jubal's Lyre" is the most famous air from this work. There are a few ravishing duets for soprano/alto and a fiery bass air "See the raging flames arise". This is most likely the first time this work will be performed in Auckland since we last performed it in 2007, so don't miss your chance!