George Frideric Handel, “O worse than death indeed / Angels ever bright and fair” (Theodora, 1750)

 

 

 

Performers:  Marina Theodoropoulou, soprano

                      Mark Hutchinson, piano

 

 

Source:  Thomas Welsh. Vocal Instructor, or the Art of Singing.  London: Royal Harmonic Institution, c.1825 (p. 33)

                British Library:  Shelfmark, H.2909

 

 

Text:       

 

 

Recitative:    O worse than death indeed.

                     Lead me, ye guards,

                     lead me or to the rack or to the flames.

                     I’ll thank your gracious mercy.

 

Air:                Angels ever bright and fair,

                     take, O take me,

                     take, O take me to your care,

                     take me, take, O take me.

                     Angels ever bright and fair,

                     take, O take me to your care.

                     Speed to your own courts my flight

                     clad in robes of virgin white, take me.

                     Angels ever bright and fair,

                     take, O take me,

                     take, O take me to your care,

                     take me, take, O take me.

                     Angels ever bright and fair,

                     take, O take me to your care.

 

 

 

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