Handel - Semele "Hence, Iris, hence away" Horne, McNair. George Frideric Handel Semele, HWV 58 "Hence, Iris, hence away" Libretto: William Congreve www.haendel.it/…/semele_lib_uk.h… Premiere: London …More
Handel - Semele "Hence, Iris, hence away" Horne, McNair.
George Frideric Handel Semele, HWV 58 "Hence, Iris, hence away" Libretto: William Congreve www.haendel.it/…/semele_lib_uk.h… Premiere: London, Covent Garden, 10 Febbario 1744 In this recording: Marilyn Horne & Sylvia McNair English Chamber Orchestra, Conductor: John Nelson Juno, queen of the gods as well as goddess of marriage, and her attendant messenger, Iris, enter. Iris tells Juno about the 'new-erected palace' that Jupiter has provided for Semele on Mount Cithaeron. Juno is incensed at her husband's new love and swears an oath of vengeance, not only on Semele but on all 'Agenor's curst race' (Jupiter's previous love had been Europa, daughter of the Phoenician king Agenor and aunt to Semele). Iris warns Juno of the dragons that protect Semele's palace; Juno determines to call on Somnus, god of sleep, who can seal the 'wakeful dragons' eyes' (Hence, Iris, hence away). Juno: No more! I'll hear no more. Awake Saturnia from thy Lethargy; seize, destroy the cursed Semele. Scale proud Citheron's top: snatch her, tear her in thy fury. And down, down to the Flood of Acheron let her fall, let her fall: rolling down the depths of night, never more to behold the light. If I th'Imperial Scepter sway —I sware by Hell— Tremble thou Universe this oath to hear, not one of curst Agenor's Race to spare. Iris: Hear, mighty Queen, while I recount what obstacles you must surmount; with adamant the gates are barr'd, whose etwo fierce dragons guard: at each approach they lash their forky stings, and clap their brazen wings: and as their scaly horrors rise, they all at once disclose a thousand fiery eyes, which never know repose. Juno: Hence Iris, hence away, Far from the realms of day; O'er Scythian Hills to the Meotian Lake a speedy flight we'll take: There Somnus I'll compell his downy bed to leave and silent cell: with noise and light I will his peace molest, nor shall he sink again to pleasing rest, 'till to my vow'd revenge he grants supplies, and seals with sleep the wakeful dragon's eyes.
George Frideric Handel Semele, HWV 58 "Hence, Iris, hence away" Libretto: William Congreve www.haendel.it/…/semele_lib_uk.h… Premiere: London, Covent Garden, 10 Febbario 1744 In this recording: Marilyn Horne & Sylvia McNair English Chamber Orchestra, Conductor: John Nelson Juno, queen of the gods as well as goddess of marriage, and her attendant messenger, Iris, enter. Iris tells Juno about the 'new-erected palace' that Jupiter has provided for Semele on Mount Cithaeron. Juno is incensed at her husband's new love and swears an oath of vengeance, not only on Semele but on all 'Agenor's curst race' (Jupiter's previous love had been Europa, daughter of the Phoenician king Agenor and aunt to Semele). Iris warns Juno of the dragons that protect Semele's palace; Juno determines to call on Somnus, god of sleep, who can seal the 'wakeful dragons' eyes' (Hence, Iris, hence away). Juno: No more! I'll hear no more. Awake Saturnia from thy Lethargy; seize, destroy the cursed Semele. Scale proud Citheron's top: snatch her, tear her in thy fury. And down, down to the Flood of Acheron let her fall, let her fall: rolling down the depths of night, never more to behold the light. If I th'Imperial Scepter sway —I sware by Hell— Tremble thou Universe this oath to hear, not one of curst Agenor's Race to spare. Iris: Hear, mighty Queen, while I recount what obstacles you must surmount; with adamant the gates are barr'd, whose etwo fierce dragons guard: at each approach they lash their forky stings, and clap their brazen wings: and as their scaly horrors rise, they all at once disclose a thousand fiery eyes, which never know repose. Juno: Hence Iris, hence away, Far from the realms of day; O'er Scythian Hills to the Meotian Lake a speedy flight we'll take: There Somnus I'll compell his downy bed to leave and silent cell: with noise and light I will his peace molest, nor shall he sink again to pleasing rest, 'till to my vow'd revenge he grants supplies, and seals with sleep the wakeful dragon's eyes.