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George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
"Let the Bright Seraphim" from Samson
Composed: 1741, rev. 1742
Premiered: 1743, London
Duration: 5 minutes

John Milton's poems were inspiration for many musical works, and Handel's Samson is one such work. Handel began composing Samson after finishing his famed Messiah in 1741, though he began revisions to the oratorio upon his return from the Dublin premiere of Messiah in 1742. It premiered at the Royal Opera House in 1743 to wide acclaim, and was moderately popular throughout his lifetime. The aria "Let the Bright Seraphim" comes just before the final chorus in Samson, and evokes a host of seraphim that brings word of the titular Samson's demise.

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
"Let the Bright Seraphim" from Samson
Composed: 1741, rev. 1742
Premiered: 1743, London
Duration: 5 minutes

John Milton's poems were inspiration for many musical works, and Handel's Samson is one such work. Handel began composing Samson after finishing his famed Messiah in 1741, though he began revisions to the oratorio upon his return from the Dublin premiere of Messiah in 1742. It premiered at the Royal Opera House in 1743 to wide acclaim, and was moderately popular throughout his lifetime. The aria "Let the Bright Seraphim" comes just before the final chorus in Samson, and evokes a host of seraphim that brings word of the titular Samson's demise.