Gideon is a 'pasticcio,' a composite work that combines excerpts from other pieces, primarily by Handel, but also includes an overture and six vocal items from Smith's own oratorio, The Feast of Darius.
Composer Biography
The younger John Christopher Smith, who compiled this oratorio, had keyboard lessons from Handel at age thirteen and later assisted him with oratorio performances, especially after Handel became blind.
Recording & Production
This recording of Gideon was made live at Kloster Eberbach, Rheingau, Germany, on June 8, 2003, and features performances on period instruments.
Composition History
The libretto for Gideon was written by Thomas Morell, who had previously provided libretti for several of Handel's major oratorios, including Judas Maccabaeus and Theodora.
Composition History
Handel's oratorio Gideon was compiled by John Christopher Smith, his assistant, after Handel's death, using music largely from Handel's works and some of Smith's own compositions.
Notable Performances
Gideon had its first performance at Covent Garden on February 10, 1769.
Composer Biography
John Christopher Smith the elder, Handel's principal copyist and assistant, received Handel's manuscripts as a bequest after the composer's death.
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