Samson, after Messiah perhaps the greatest and most dramatic of Handel’s many oratorios, tells the story of the blinded hero, Samson and his struggle and eventual victory over the Philistine invaders. Highlights of the work include the deeply moving aria for Samson “Total Eclipse” describing his blindness, the delightfully seductive music of Delilah, the boisterous outbursts of the Philistine warrior Haraphah and the superb final soprano aria “Let the bright seraphim” with its magnificent trumpet obbligato. The choral writing throughout is magnificent, commenting on the unfolding of this epic Old Testament drama in music of unforgettable splendour and emotional range. The fine libretto is based on Milton’s great poem Samson Agonistes and this performance is offered as part of the 400th anniversary celebrations of Milton’s birth.

Tickets: £18, £15, £12