Handel’s Alexander’s Feast is an oratorio to a text by Newburgh Hamilton based closely on an earlier Dryden St. Cecilia’s Day ode.  The basic plot is that Alexander is feasting in captured Persepolis with his mistress Thaïs.  Inflamed by the music of Timotheus he decides to burn down the city in revenge for his fallen soldiers.  Cecilia descends from Heaven and substitutes music for the king’s barbarous intentions.  There are solo and choral numbers and a couple of duets and there are two concerti; one for triple harp representing Timotheus’ lyre playing and an organ concerto for St. Cecilia.  It’s all quite tuneful and interesting if not as inspired as some of the better known oratorios.

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