Apollo’s Fire’s founder and director Jeannette Sorrell is “a masterful musical storyteller” (Seen and Heard International). The Maestra and her acclaimed baroque orchestra add to their distinguished AVIE discography that includes Handel’s Dixit Dominus and Messiah, with her own adaptation of the composer’s oratorio Israel in Egypt.

This colorful orchestral showcase takes the listener on a biblical journey from the Israelites lamentations on the death of Joseph, to the frogs, locusts and diseases that plague the Egyptians, to Moses’ miraculous parting of the Red Sea.

Released on October 6th, 2023, Apollo’s Fire launch the album with a one-night-only performance of Israel in Egypt in their home base of Cleveland, on October 21, before traveling east for a collaboration of the work with the New York Philharmonic on October 25th and 26th.

Joining Sorrell and Apollo’s Fire are sopranos Margaret Carpenter Haigh and Molly Netter, countertenor Daniel Moody, tenor Jacob Perry, baritone Edward Vogel, and the Apollo’s Singers chorus.

1. Handel: Israel in Egypt, HWV 54, Pt I. Lamentations of the Israelites for the Death of Joseph

2. Handel: Israel in Egypt, HWV 54, Pt 2. Exodus

3. Handel: Israel in Egypt, HWV 54, Pt 3. Moses’ Song

This quite incredible, and wholly impassioned new recording begins with Handel: Israel in Egypt, HWV 54, Pt I. Lamentations of the Israelites for the Death of Joseph quintet, and opens on the sternly fortified Sinfonia, the tentatively sculpted The sons of Israel do mourn (Chorus), the euphorically-charged How is the mighty fall’n (Chorus), then comes the sprightly The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance (Solo & Chorus), culminating on the sombre, veritably ethereal ache of Their bodies are buried in peace (Chorus).

Next comes a set of ten pieces that make up Handel: Israel in Egypt, HWV 54, Pt 2. Exodus, which itself opens on the impassioned Now there arose a new king over Egypt (Recitativo) and the haunting And the children of Israel sighed (Solo & Chorus) and they are then in turn backed by the informative Then sent he Moses (Recitativo), the sprightly Their land brought forth frogs (Aria), the sternly atmospheric He spake the word (Chorus), the ornately melodic He gave them hailstones for rain (Chorus), before we are brought forth the stirring He sent a thick darkness over all the land (Solo & Chorus), the heated He smote all the first-born of Egypt (Chorus), before rounding out on the profound He rebuked the Red Sea (Chorus) and the dashing But the waters overwhelmed their enemies (Chorus).

The final piece is Handel: Israel in Egypt, HWV 54, Pt 3. Moses’ Song, a thirteen piece set that opens with the strident Moses and the children of Israel sung this song unto the Lord (Chorus), the emotional The Lord is my strength and my song (Duet), the intense 48 second He is my God and I will prepare him a habitation (Chorus), and then brings us the jubilant To God our strength, sing loud and clear (Aria & Chorus), the harmonic The depths have covered them (Chorus), the free-flowing Thy right hand, O Lord (Chorus), before bringing forth the blessed The enemy said, I will pursue (Aria).

Up next is the low slung ache within Thou didst blow with the wind (Aria) and the haunting Who is like unto thee (Chorus), and they are followed by the quite celestial in make up Thou in thy mercy hast led forth thy people (Duet), the recording coming to a most righteous close on the forthright The people shall hear, and be afraid (Chorus), the blooming Thou shalt bring them in (Aria), and, finally, the emphatically jubilant The Lord shall reign forever and ever (chorus); arias and recitatives.

Jeannette Sorrell’s new adaptation of Handel’s neglected oratorio has won rave reviews. In addition to being a colorful showpiece for the virtuoso players and chorus of Apollo’s Fire, the work is a gripping emotional journey – from plagues and pyramids to the crossing of the Red Sea… The Israelites’ daring escape from Egypt comes to life with reverence and triumph through Handel’s sumptuous music.

Official Purchase Link

www.apollosfire.org