In Dixit Dominus, the setting of Psalm 110 from the Book of Psalms, we meet a young and energic Handel, who neverless had mastered his craft as well as any other composer of his era. The piece, which is one of the most common texts from the Book of Psalms to be set to music, was written while Handel was residing in Italy in his early 20s. It is at once a piece that feels fresh when coming from his later oratorios, yet characteristic enough to be more than worthy of its fame. Along with this piece, smaller sacred works by Handel and Vivaldi shall be performed.

The piece’s solo voice shall be performed by the magnificent Sophie Karthäuser, who has rapidly become one of Europe’s most sought-after names for performances of Mozart’s operas. Her operatic training will be shown in its utmost splendour here, in what is arguably Handel’s first operatic masterpiece. She is joined by Paul Agnew, who will be taking a detour to Trondheim en route to Paris, where he will be performing the same work. The performance shall take place in the historic grand hall of Trondheim’s Freemason’s lodge, whose rococo splendour seems a perfect counterpart to the elaborate elegance of Handel’s music.

Performers:

Sophie Karthäuser, soloist
Paul Agnew, conductor
TSO Baroque Orchestra, choir and soloists