Händel: Israel in Egypt

It could have been the beginning of a wonderful friendship between peoples: Joseph, a gifted Hebrew from rural Canaan, rose from a position of slavery in Egypt to one of great influence at the Pharaoh’s court. Through his far-sighted actions, he played a decisive role in saving the country from a severe famine. In gratitude, the Pharaoh allows Joseph to bring his entire family, along with their possessions, to Egypt. Thus, the ancestors of the twelve tribes of Israel settle in Egypt in the hope of safety and a better life.