Let The Bright Seraphim

LET THE BRIGHT SERAPHIM

Let the bright Seraphim in burning row,

Their loud uplifted Angel-trumpets blow.

Let the Cherubic host, in tuneful choirs,

Touch their immortal harps with golden wires.

Soprano: Pamela Andrews

Pianist: Alan Hicks

Filmed and recorded in Llewellyn Hall, Canberra, by the Australian National University, November 2010, on behalf of Pamela Andrews. Edited for YouTube by Joseph Restubog.

© JRR4FILM Productions 2011

The magnificent trumpet aria, "Let the Bright Seraphim", occurs at the end of Händel's oratorio, Samson (HWV 57), and is a joyous, uplifting aria set directly after a funeral march. Interestingly, it was not the original ending to the work, and was added by Händel some twelve months after he had originally declared the work to be finished. The character of Manoah calls upon the Israelites to cease their mourning for Samson, which is followed thus by the trumpet aria. Sadly, we were not able to find a trumpeter for this performance. The trumpet part is instead written into the piano arrangement.

Pamela Andrews is a Tasmanian-born lyric soprano and a recent Master's graduate of the Australian National University. Pamela is currently studying with soprano Louise Page (Canberra), having previously studied under Jane Edwards and Marilyn Smith (Hobart). Read more about Pamela at http://www.sopranopamela.com

Alan Hicks is a graduate of Newcastle Conservatorium of Music (DSCM piano and flute) and the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester (Diploma in Professional Performance with distinction). Alan is currently Head of Voice at the Australian National University. Read more about pianist Alan Hicks at http://music.anu.edu.au/academic-staff/Alan-Hicks