Sarah Dyer, Contralto Master of Music Recital Program Notes George Friedrich Händel (1685-1759), even though born in Germany, spent most of his professional life in England.. Drawn to the idea of English opera for the dramatic musical settings, Handel, created many stunning operas and oratorios that are still popular today. He was a gifted composer who, was able to depict a variety of stories, including his most famous work , The Messiah. Although he is well-known for his pastoral works, his work with Roman mythology is equally captivating. Handel’s oratorio, Semele, is a work that tells the classic story of Ovid’s Metamorphoses with libretto by William Congreve. “Hence, Iris Hence Away” comes from Act II scene one when Juno, Jupiter’s wife, tasks her assistant, Iris, to accompany her to retrieve a potion from the god of sleep in order to put the dragon to sleep. The piece contains a recitative and aria. Although less strict in ‘da capo form’ in his English operas, Handel wrote “Hence, Iris Hence Away” with a first strain, contrasting middle strain and a resumption of the first strain with added coloratura. Hence, Iris Hence Away Awake Saturnia from thy Lethargy; Seize, destroy the curst Adulteress. Scale proud Citheron's Top: Snatch her, tear her in thy Fury, And down, down to the Flood of Acheron Let her fall, let her fall, fall, fall: Rolling down to the Depths of Night, Never more to behold the Light. If I th'Imperial Scepter sway—I sware By Hell— Tremble thou Universe this Oath to hear, Not one of curst Agenor's Race to spare.
Hence Iris, hence away, Far from the realms of Day; O'er Scythian Hills to the Meotian Lake A speedy Flight we'll take: There Somnus I'll compell His downy bed to leave and silent Cell: With Noise and Light I willhis Peace molest, Nor shall he sink again to pleasing Rest, 'Till to my vow'd Revenge he grants Supplies, And seals with Sleep the wakeful Dragon's Eyes.
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