J.S. Bach, Hercules at the Crossroads, BWV 213 | Mvmt. 3: Aria 'Schlafe, mein Liebster'

J.S. Bach, Hercules at the Crossroads, BWV 213
Mvmt. 3: Aria "Schlafe, mein Liebster"

Bach, Handel, and Hercules
Friday, September 24, 2021 at 7:30 pm
Zilkha Hall, The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

Ars Lyrica returns to the Hobby Center with a morality tale set to music by both Bach and Handel. The iconic strongman Hercules earned his place in the pantheon not through conquests but rather for his wisdom and honor. A pillar of mythology since Antiquity, Hercules faces a familiar dilemma, one that found significant resonance in the Baroque era, when ancient stories were a principal source of moral instruction. Both composers treat Hercules’ temptation and ultimate embrace of virtue with ravishing arias and grand ensembles.

Featuring:
Nola Richardson, soprano º
Leia Lensing, mezzo-soprano
Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, countertenor
Steven Brennfleck, tenor
Jason Zacher, baritone

º Ars Lyrica debut

Orchestral Personnel:
Horn I – James Wilson
Horn II – Drew Stephen
Traverso I – Colin St-Martin
Traverso II – Meg Griffeth
Oboe I/oboe d'amore – Geoffrey Burgess
Oboe II – Pablo Moreno
Baroque bassoon – Ben Kamins
Violin I – Elizabeth Blumenstock, Maria Lin, Hae-a Lee
Violin II – Alan Austin, Anabel Detrick, Matt Detrick
Viola – Erika Lawson
Cello – Barrett Sills
Violone – Deborah Dunham
Organ – Daryl Robinson
Harpsichord & conductor – Matthew Dirst

Video and audio by BEND Productions, LLC

[madrigalcommunications]

This is one of my favourite arias from all of Bach's cantatas. This is a beautiful rendition. I have been listening to it over and over. Thank you for this performance.

[notlih]

Unübertroffener Ohren- und Augengenuss!