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Composed in the wake of the last pitched battle fought on British soil – the putting-down at Culloden of the 1745 Jacobite rebellion – Handel's oratorio recounts a tale of military prowess on the part of the Israelites of biblical times, with whom Protestant England was keen to identify.

Under the direction of Laurence Cummings – Music Director of the Handel festivals in London and Göttingen – the distinguished line-up of soloists is headed by John Mark Ainsley, a stylish and much-admired Handelian, here tackling a role long considered the pinnacle of the tenor repertoire.

We are sorry to announce that Christopher Purves is unwell and is unable to perform this evening. We are very grateful to Alastair Miles who has stepped in at very short notice to sing the role of Simon / Eupolemus.

There will be one interval

Discover the Music** Download a 3 minute audio guide to Handel's Judas Maccabeus