So Shall The Lute And Harp Awake

"So Shall the Lute and Harp Awake" is a bright, joyful soprano aria from George Frideric Handel's oratorio Judas Maccabaeus. The text calls for instruments and voices to rise up and make "seraphic melody" in the tradition of King David, "Jesse's Son." It is a song of pure musical celebration, praising God through the very act of singing and playing instruments.

In the choir world, this piece is a beloved challenge for soloists. The running melismas—especially on the words "awake" and "run"—require serious breath control and vocal agility. When a soprano steps up to the microphone during a choir concert or a special feast day celebration and navigates those fast, joyful runs, it brings a wonderful energy to the church.

Because it is a classical aria rather than a congregational hymn, choirs typically program it for concerts, special musical presentations, or festive celebrations where a soloist can truly shine. The lively tempo and the interplay between the voice and the piano accompaniment make it a thrilling piece to hear and to perform.