Samson is one of Handel’s greatest works, composed in 1741 immediately after he completed the Messiah. Less frequently performed than the Messiah it nevertheless contains music of similar splendour and beauty.

The text based on Milton’s poem Samson Agonistes depicts the blinded hero’s captivity in Gaza at the hands of the Philistines, and his eventual triumph over them.  The various characters in Milton’s poem - the heroic figure of Samson, his beguiling ex-wife Dalila, his friend Micah, his father Manoah and the Philistine giant Harapha (Samson’s arch-enemy) are all depicted in wonderfully vivid and dramatic music, Highlights include Samson’s “Total eclipse” and the glorious Finale, combining the splendid aria “Let the bright seraphim” and the great chorus of rejoicing, “Let their celestial concerts all unite!”

South Bucks Choral Society will be joined by a team of very talented young singers from the Royal Academy of Music to perform this masterpiece and led by Festival founder, the renowned conductor Iain Ledingham.