A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Samson
SAMSON. Oratorio by Handel, words compiled by Newburgh Hamilton from Milton's Samson Agonistes, Hymn on the Nativity, and Lines on a Solemn Musick. The autograph of the work is in the Buckingham Palace Library, and contains the following dates:—end of 1st part, 'Sept. 29, 1741' (N.B. Messiah was finished 14th of same month); end of 2nd part '☉ (i.e. Sunday) Oct. 11, 1741'; end of chorus 'Glorious hero,' 'Fine dell' Oratorio, S.D.G., London, G. F. Handel, ♃ (i.e. Thursday) Oct. 29, 1741'; then the words 'Fine dell' Oratorio' have been struck out, and 'Come, come,' 'Let the bright,' and 'Let their celestial' added, with a note at end, 'S.D.G.—G.F.Handel, Oct. 12, 1742.' It was produced at Covent Garden, Lent 1743—the first after Handel's return from Ireland.
Handel esteemed it as much as the Messiah, and after his blindness wept when he heard the air 'Total eclipse.' It was revived by the Sacred Harmonic Society, Nov. 14, 1838, and has often been performed since. The score was published by Wright; by Arnold in his edition; by the Handel Society (edited by Rimbault, 1852); and by Breitkopf & Härtel (Chrysander, 1861).[ G. ]