This time featuring two of Bach’s masterful cantatas for solo voice, Ich habe Genug, BWV 82 with ARIA Award-nominated baritone David Greco, and Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut, BWV 199 with versatile and critically acclaimed operatic soprano, Bethany Hill on a rare return trip to Australia from the U.S. where she is now based.
The solo cantata Ich habe genug (I have enough) was composed for the Feast of the Purification, February 2, 1727. It is one of the most recorded of Bach’s Cantatas and although the text is by an anonymous librettist, the Gospel for the day, upon which the Cantata is based is the passage in St Luke where the infant Jesus is presented at the Temple.
The ageing Israelite Simeon recognises him as the long-awaited Messiah and declares himself now ready to embrace death. Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut, is one of Bach’s most expressive cantatas, one that Bach is known to have performed often.
Bach is here illuminating the path to redemption though penance; the torment and suffering almost physically tangible in the music until the final chorale where we see the glory of Bach’s devotion.
With text by Georg Christian Lehms, it was first performed in 1714. Both arias feature unforgettable oboe solos, in this case played by our wonderful Melbourne based Adam Masters.
The cantatas are interspersed with solo arias and duets of Handel’s Oratorios Theodora, Esther, Jephtha and the little-known masterwork, Joseph and his Brethren. Come and hear the glory of these masterworks in the extraordinary acoustic of St Peter’s Cathedral. Two amazing internationally recognised soloists with Adelaide’s world class baroque orchestra.
Founded in 1977 Adelaide Baroque is Australia’s oldest historical performing organisation, dedicated to excite contemporary audiences with the power of baroque music. In Adelaide Baroque has led the resurgence of interest in historical performance and has been then training ground for many Australian musicians through its regular workshops and the annual Baroque Academy at Elder Hall (22-26 September).
Adelaide Baroque returns to St Peter’s Cathedral to present Bach and Handel on Sunday, 14 September at 2pm. Tickets here.
