Samson, HWV 57
HWV
Samson an oratorio
Sheet music
Sheet music
· public domain
· 38 editions
Open on IMSLP →
Composed
1741-42
First published
1743 - London: Walsh
Period
Baroque
Catalogue
HWV
Dedication
—
Movements
3
Versions & arrangements
Octoopus links every original, transcription and arrangement under one work. Select a version to see its instrumentation.
Movements
As catalogued on IMSLP.
3
acts; Act I. 1. Overture; Scene 1 2. Recitative (Samson): This day, a solemn feast to Dagon held :Chorus of Philistines: Awake the trumpet's lofty sound! 3. Air (Philistine Woman): Ye men of Gaza, hither bring :Chorus: Awake the trumpet's lofty sound! 4. Air (Philistine): Loud as the thunder's awful voice 5. Air (Philistine Woman): Then free from sorrow, free from thrall :Chorus (reprise): Awake the trumpet's lofty sound! 6. Recitative (Samson): Why by an angel was my birth foretold :Air (Samson): Torments, alas, are not confin'd; Scene 2 7. Recitative (Micah): Oh, change beyond report, thought, or belief! :Air (Micah): Oh, mirror of our fickle state! 8. Recitative (Samson, Micah): Whom have I to complain of but myself :Air (Samson): Total eclipse! No sun, no moon! 13. Accompagnato (Micah): Since light so necessary is to life 14. Chorus of Israelites: O first created beam! 15. Recitative (Samson, Micah, Manoah) :Samson. Ye see, my friends; Micah. The wisest men have err'd, and been deceiv'd; Samson. Oh that I had! Alas, fond wish, too late!; Micah. Here comes thy rev'rend sire, old Manoah; Samson. Alas! Another grief that name awakes.; Scene 3 :Manoah. Brethren and men of Dan, say, where is my son?; Micah. As signal now in low dejected state 16. Accompagnato (Manoah): Oh, miserable change! 17. Recitative (Israelitish Man): Oh, ever failing trust 18. Air (Israelitish Man): God of our fathers, what is man? 19. Accompagnato (Manoah): The good we wish for, often proves our bane 20. Air (Manoah): Thy glorious deeds inspir'd my tongue 21. Recitative (Samson, Manoah) :Samson: Justly these evils have befalI'n thy son; Manoah: Worse yet remains.; Samson: This have I done 22. Accompagnato (Samson): My griefs for this 23. Air (Samson): Why does the God of lsrael sleep? 24. Recitative (Micah): There lies our hope! 25. Chorus of Israelites: Then shall they know 26. Recitative (Manoah, Samson) :Manoah. For thee, my dearest son; Samson. It should be so, to expiate my crime; Manoah. Be for thy fate contrite; Samson. Why should I live? 27. Accompagnato (Samson): My genial spirits droop 28. Recitative (Micah): Then long eternity 29. Air (Micah): Joys that are pure 30. Chorus of Israelites: Then round about the starry throne; Act II.; Scene 1 31. Recitative (Manoah, Samson) :Manoah. Despair not thus!; Samson. Where'er the liquid brook or fountain; Manoah. Trust yet in God! 32. Air (Manoah): Just are the ways of God to man 33. Recitative (Samson, Micah) :Samson. My evils hopeless are!; Micah. Relieve Thy champion; 34. Air and Chorus (Micah, Israelites) :Micah. Return, O God of hosts! Behold :Israelites. To dust his glory they would tread,; Scene 2 35. Recitative (Samson, Micah, Dalila) :Micah. But who is this, that so bedeck'd and gay; Samson. My wife, my traitress?; Micah. She stands, and eyes thee fix'd; Dalila. With doubtful feet, and wav'ring resolution; Samson. Out, thou hyæna!; Dalila. I would not lessen my offence, yet beg; Samson. How cunningly the sorceress displays 36. Air (Philistine Woman / Dalila): With plaintive notes 37. Recitative (Dalila, Samson) :Dalila. Alas! Th'event was worse than I foresaw; Samson. Did love constrain thee? No, 'twas raging lust! 38. Air (Samson): Your charms to ruin led the way 39. Recitative (Dalila): Forgive what's done 40. Air and Duet (Dalila, Philistine Woman) :Dalila. My faith and truth, O Samson, prove, :Philistine Woman. Her faith and truth :41a. Chorus of Virgins: Her faith and truth 42. Air (Dalila): To fleeting pleasures :41b. Chorus of Virgins: Her faith and truth :Air (Dalila): How charming is domestic ease! :41c. Chorus of Virgins: Her faith and truth 43. Recitative (Samson, Dalila) :Samson. Ne'er think of that!; Dalila. Let me approach, at least; Samson. Not for thy life, lest fierce remembrance wake; Dalila. Thou art more deaf to pray'rs 44. Duet (Dalila, Samson): Traitor to love! I'll sue no more; Scene 3 45. Recitative (Micah, Samson) :Micah. She's gone!; Samson. So let her go! 46. Air (Micah): It is not virtue, valour, wit 47. Recitative (Samson): Favour'd of heaven is he 48. Chorus of Israelites: To man God's universal law; Scene 4 49. Recitative (Micah, Harapha, Samson) :Micah. No words of peace; Harapha. I come not, Samson, to condole thy chance; Samson. The way to know. were not to see; Harapha. Ha! Dost thou then already single me?; Samson. Boast not of what thou would'st have done; Harapha. The honour certain to have won from thee 50. Air (Harapha): Honour and arms 51. Recitative (Samson): Put on your arms 52. Air (Samson): My strength is from the living God 53. Recitative (Harapha, Samson) :Harapha.With thee, a man condemn'd; Samson. Cam'st thou for this, vain boaster?; Harapha. O Dagon! Can I hear this insolence 54. Duet (Samson, Harapha): Go, baffled coward; Presume not on thy God 55. Recitative (Micah): Here lies the proof 56. Chorus of Israelites: Hear, Jacob's God, Jehovah, hear! 57. Recitative (Harapha): Dagon, arise, attend thy sacred feast! 58. Air (A Philistine): To song and dance we give the day 59. Chorus of Philistines: To song and dance we give the day 60. Chorus of Israelites and Philistines: Fix'd in his everlasting seat; Act II.; Scene 1 61. Recitative (Micah, Samson, Harapha) :Micah. More trouble is behind; Samson. I fear him not, nor all his giant brood; Harapha. Samson, to thee our lords thus bid me say; Samson. I am an Hebrew; Harapha. This answer will offend; Samson. Myself, my conscience and intemal peace!; Harapha. My message, giv'n with speed 62. Air (Harapha): Presuming slave, to move their wrath! 63. Recitative (Micah, Samson) :Micah. Reflect then. Samson; Samson. Shall I abuse this consecrated gift; Micah. How thou wilt here come 64. Chorus of Israelites: With thunder arm'd, great God, arise! 65. Recitative (Samson, Micah, Harapha) :Samson. Be of good courage; Micah. In time thou hast resolv'd; Harapha. Samson, this second summons send our lords; Samson. Vain were their art if tried; Harapha. You thus may win the lords; Samson. In nothing I'll comply that's scandalous; Micah. So may'st thou act as serves His glory best; Samson. Let but that spirit 66. Accompagnato (Samson): Then shall I make Jehovah's glory 67. Air (Samson): Thus when the sun from's wat'ry bed 68. Accompagnato (Micah): With might endu'd above the sons of men 69. Air and Chorus (Micah): The Holy One of Israel be thy guide; Scene 2 70. Recitative (Micah, Manoah) :Micah. Old Manoah, with youthful steps; Manoah. I come, my brethren 71. Air (Philistine): Great Dagon has subdu'd our foe 72. Chorus of Philistines: Great Dagon has subdu'd our foe 73. Recitative (Manoah, Micah) :Manoah. What noise of joy was that?; Micah. They shout and sing; Manoah. Could my inheritance but ransom him; Micah. Sons care to nurse 74. Air (Manoah): How willing my paternal love 75. Recitative (Micah, Manoah) :Micah. Your hopes of his deliv'ry seem not vain; Manoah. I know your friendly minds 76. Chorus of Philistines: Hear us, our God! Oh, hear our cry! 77. Recitative (Micah, Manoah) :Micah. Noise call you this?; Manoah. Ruin indeed!; Micah. Thy son is rather slaying them; Scene 3 78. Recitative (Messenger, Micah, Manoah) :Messenger. Where shall I run; Micah. The accident was loud; Messenger. Let me recover breath; Manoah. Tell us the sum (etc.) 79. Air and Chorus (Micah, Israelites): Ye sons of lsrael, now lament, 80. Recitative (Manoah): Proceed we hence to find his body 81. Symphony: Dead March 82. Recitative (Micah, Manoah) :Micah. The body comes; Manoah. There shall all IsraeI's valiant youth resort 83. Air and Chorus (Manoah, Israelites): Glorious hero, may thy grave 84. Solo and Chorus (Israelite Woman, Virgins) :Israelite Woman. The virgins too shall on their feastful days :Virgins. Bring the laurels, bring the bays, 85. Recitative (Manoah, Micah) :Manoah. Come, come! No time for lamentation now; Micah. Why should we weep or wail 86. Air (Israelite Woman): Let the bright seraphim 87. Chorus of Israelites: Let their celestial concerts all unite
Reference recordings
Landmark interpretations from the catalogue.
Reference recordings — coming soon
Covers from the community
Members record their own interpretations — listen, like, and learn.
Community covers — coming soon
Discussions on this work
Interpretation tips, fingerings and friendly debate, anchored to the score.
Discussions — coming soon
More from Handel, George Frideric
Other works from the same catalogue.