We begin a series of three works by George Frideric Handel on this week’s Sunday Opera (10/20 3:00 p.m.) with his oratorio “Judas Maccabaeus” from Music of the Baroque. Maccabaeus leads the Jews against the invading Seleucid commander Gorgias, who wants to eradicate the Jewish religion, while reminding them of their religious duties in this work that premiered on April 1st, 1747. This performance features Thomas Cooley as Judas, Eric Owens as Simon, Judas’ brother, Ryan O’Mealey as Epolemus, the Jewish ambassador to Rome.
Rounding out the cast are Yulia Van Doren, Meg Bragel, Amanda Koopman, and Kyle Sackett with the performance conducted by Jane Glover. After the oratorio, join Michael Kownacky for overtures from Handel’s “Alcina” and “Lotario.” The remainder of the afternoon will be spent with Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection,” featuring soloists Barbara Hendricks and Christa Ludwig with the Westminster Choir and New York Philharmonic, conducted by Leonard Bernstein.
