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He began to experiment more extensively with English-language oratorios. By the end of the 1730s Italian operas had fallen entirely out of favour in London, so the composer looked for new ways of captivating his listeners. From the outset, however, there had been critics who demanded operas in English. George Frideric Handel had dominated musical life in London with his Italian-style operas ever since his sensational success with Rinaldo in 1711 – going broke twice in the process, incidentally. Merab and Michal grieve for their brother and their beloved father. And it is not long before the deaths of the King and his son Jonathan are announced: they died in battle against the Philistines. The meeting with the witch confronts him with the future and consequently with his own death. At that moment, the Witch of Endor appears to him.
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He feels that he has been abandoned by God and the world. In a fit of uncontrollable anger he attacks his own son. Saul – increasingly unstable – again decides that David must die. Following her initial dislike, Merab has now fallen completely under David’s spell. Saul sends out a search party to find him. The plan fails, and David returns to the court victorious. He also intends to send him into battle against the Philistines which he believes will be his certain death. He now intends to marry David to his younger daughter Michal instead of his older daughter Merab – the two young people are fond of each other, after all. In the end, Saul commands his son Jonathan to murder David. Saul tries to kill David with a javelin, but David escapes. David is told to use the power of his harp to heal him, but his efforts are to no avail. In Saul’s mind, one single sentence echoes: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” This affront hurts Saul deeply and madness takes him. The people of Israel now praise not just the popular King Saul, but also David, the new hero. Merab, however, is dismissive of David, pointing out that he is of lowly birth. Saul’s son Jonathan immediately offers to be his close friend, and Saul himself would like to marry David to his daughter Merab. Everyone is dazzled by the young hero’s charisma.
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After David killed Goliath in the battle against the Philistines and was able to return home in triumph, he is presented to Saul and his family. Saul is the King of Israel, chosen by God and venerated by the people.