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Thursday, 12 July 2012

Handel's Nine German Arias ( Neun Deutsche Arien ) were written in around 1725, in somewhat mysterious circumstances.  We do not know the singer for whom they were composed, nor the exact instrumentation originally used; they are scored for soprano, another treble instrument, and basso continuo.

The texts are based on a collection of poems by Heinrich Brockes, a fellow law student of Handel at Halle in 1700-1702, who became a significant German poet.  The arias constitute hymns to nature, in which the singer invokes the hand of the creator in the beauties of nature, and also recognises these earthly pleasures as evidence of such a creator.

Each aria displays a different palette of sound and a different mood revolving around these themes.  Some are operatic, and some are more obviously spiritual in tone, and they recall a variety of Handel's other works, ranging from Giulio Cesare to Silete, Venti .

These arias could have been written for Sara Macliver, whose immaculate soprano phrasing will bring forth the beauties and variety and these exquisite works.  Her chamber accompaniment includes the cream of Australian Baroque musicians, led by violinist Paul Wright, all Perth based artists.

This will be an Australian premiere performance of the Nine German Arias in their entirety.

WHAT: Festival Baroque Australia presents Handel's Nine German Arias featuring Sara Macliver with Paul Wright (violin), Noeleen Wright (cello), Andrew Tait (violone) and Stewart Smith (harpsichord and chamber organ).

WHERE :         Government House Ballroom.

WHEN :           Wednesday 25 July, 7.30pm.

TICKETS :      $60 / $50 concession / $20 student.  Available from UWA Extension.  Phone (08) 6488 2243.

Media references

Julie Seaton (Festival Baroque Project Officer)  (+61 8)  6488 4845
Emeritus Professor Sandra Bowdler (UWA School of Music)  (+61 8)  6488 4845  /  (+61 4) 22 111 243
Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783

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