description Belshazzar Overview
Belshazzar is an English oratorio composed by George Frideric Handel in 1744 and early 1745. The work features a libretto by Charles Jennens that adapts the biblical story of Belshazzar's feast and the fall of Babylon to the Persian king Cyrus. Jennens compiled the text using sources from the Book of Daniel, as well as classical histories by Herodotus and Xenophon. The oratorio is noted for its dramatic characterization and large-scale choruses.
help Belshazzar FAQ
Who wrote the oratorio Belshazzar?
George Frideric Handel composed Belshazzar in 1744 and early 1745. Charles Jennens wrote the English libretto from biblical accounts of Babylon and Cyrus.
What biblical event does Handel's Belshazzar portray?
The plot centers on Belshazzar's feast, the mysterious writing on the wall, and the fall of Babylon. Cyrus the Persian leads the force that takes the city.
What is Handel's Belshazzar catalogue number?
Belshazzar is listed as HWV 61 in the Händel-Werke-Verzeichnis catalogue. It is one of Handel's large English biblical oratorios.
How is Belshazzar different from Handel's Messiah?
Messiah presents a broad Christian sacred narrative, while Belshazzar is a dramatic story about a specific ruler and the destruction of Babylon. Belshazzar also gives major dramatic roles to characters such as Belshazzar, Nitocris, Cyrus, and Daniel.
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