Israel in Egypt | Gravesham Choral Society

Handel's oratorio tells the Old Testament story of how God chooses Moses to lead his people out of bondage when an unsympathetic Pharaoh takes the throne.
A series of plagues devastate Egypt. Rivers turn to blood, blotches and blisters afflict cattle and people, flies and lice abound, hailstorms and locusts destroy crops, and eldest sons are struck dead. These disasters persuade the Pharaoh to let the Israelites go; but he later decides to pursue them instead. The Red Sea miraculously parts for the Israelites to cross, and after the waters engulf the pursuing Egyptians, they celebrate their deliverance.
Handel employs extraordinarily vivid musical language to spectacular effect in describing these dramatic events. Dazzling choruses and arias are accompanied by a large orchestra of woodwind and strings with trumpets, trombones and drums adding colour and excitement.