The four Coronation Anthems were composed for the Coronation of King George II and Queen Caroline in 1727.  They caused a great sensation amongst the general public who turned up in large numbers to hear the pieces rehearsed before the event.  William Wake, the Archbishop of Canterbury, wrote of their performance at the service, ``The anthems in confusion; all irregular in the music".  As choral works they have an important place in Handel's ceremonial music and Zadok the Priest has been sung at every successive coronation service.

The oratorio's Saul and Hercules are not amongst the best known of Handel's works in this genre, but the two scenes to be perfromed in this concert are outstanding examples of Handel's ability to create the dramatic moment.  The scene from Saul is the conclusion of the Elegy towards the end of Act III for the death of Jonathan.  The scena ``Where shall I fly?" from Hercules is for the heroe's wife, Dejanira.  Here Handel writes an aria of operatic  dramatic proportions.  Dejanira, realising that she is responsible for her husband's death, sees herself pursued by the furies.

Handel was the greatest opera composer of his day and Ariodante, first produced in 1735, is one of his masterpieces.  The two arias presented in this programme show the eponymous hero in contrasting mood.  Scherza infida in grembo al drudo finds Prince Ariodante distraught at the thought that his betrothed might be unfaithful.  Doppe notte see Ariodante at the end of the opera when the complex plot has been unravelled and all is joy, for him at least.