“Let the Bright Seraphim” by Handel from Samson opera

Many musical works are inspired by or based upon John Milton’s writing, including the three-act oratorio Samson by George Frederic Handel. Samson is a three-act oratorio by George Frideric Handel, considered one of his finest dramatic works. Although it is usually performed as an oratorio, it has also been staged as an opera.

Here’s one of the best-known arias in the composition: “Let the Bright Seraphim.”

Kathleen Battle, Soprano
Wynton Marsalis, Trumpet
Orchestra of St. Luke’s
John Nelson, Conductor

Photographs by Paul Whiton

Lyrics:
Let the bright seraphim
in burning row,
Their loud, uplifted angel trumpets blow.

Let the cherubic host,
in tuneful choirs,
Touch their immortal harps
with golden wires.

Let the bright seraphim, etc.

You may see the entire text for Handel’s Samson at the Stanford University website.

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