Softly Sweet in Lydian Measures (Handel) Arleen Auger

Softly Sweet in Lydian Measures from the ode Alexander&Feast, HWV 75 by George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) Arleen Auger, soprano The Mostly Mozart Orchestra Gerard Schwarz, conductor The libretto is by Newburgh Hamilton (1691–1761), adapted from John Dryden&1697 ode "Alexander&Feast, or the Power of Music," which had been written to celebrate Saint Cecilia&Day (Saint Cecilia is the patron saint of music). Softly sweet in Lydian measures Soon he sooth&the soul to pleasures. Available from Delos: Various artists&depictions of St. Cecilia: [0:52] John Melhuish Strudwick (1849-1937) [1:54] Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665) [3:00] Giovanni Francesco Romanelli (1610–1662) [3:39] Jacques Blanchard (1600–1638)