Judas Maccabaeus (Handel)
Judas Maccabaeus is an oratorio in three acts composed in 1746 by George Frideric Handel based on a libretto written by Thomas Morell. The oratorio was devised as a compliment to the victorious Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland upon his return from the Battle of Culloden. Other catalogues of Handel's music have referred to the work as HG xxii; and HHA 1/24.
Synopsis
Morell's libretto is based on the deuterocanonical book 1 Maccabees, with motives added from the Antiquitates Judaicae by Flavius Josephus.The events depicted in the oratorio are from the period 170–160 BC when Judea was ruled by the Seleucid Empire which undertook to destroy the Jewish religion. Being ordered to worship Zeus, many Jews obeyed under the threat of persecution; however, some did not. One who defied was the elderly priest Mattathias who killed a fellow Jew who was about to offer a pagan sacrifice. After tearing down a pagan altar, Mattathias retreated to the hills and gathered others who were willing to fight for their faith.
Handel's music depicts the changing moods of the Jewish people as their fortunes vary from dejection to jubilation.
Part 1
The people mourn the death of their leader Mattathias, but his son Simon tries to restore their faith and calls them to arms. Simon's brother, Judas Maccabaeus, assumes the role of leader and inspires the people with thoughts of liberty and victory through the power of Jehovah.Part 2
The people have been victorious, but Judas is concerned that vanity will cause the people to claim victory for themselves. When news arrives that the Seleucid commander Gorgias is preparing to enact revenge, the people's joyous mood gives way to wailing and dejection. Again Judas rallies the people and insists that the pagan altars must be destroyed and that false religions must be resisted.Part 3
Victory has finally been achieved for the Jewish people. News arrives that Rome is willing to form an alliance with Judas against the Seleucid empire. The people rejoice that peace has at last come to their country.First performance
The first performance took place on 1 April 1747 at Covent Garden, and Judas Maccabaeus became one of Handel's most popular oratorios. The General Advertiser announced the event as:The performers in this original 1747 production included:
- Judas: John Beard
- Israelite man: Caterina Galli
- Israelite woman: Elisabetta de Gambarini
- Simon, brother to Judas: Thomas Reinhold
- Eupolemus, Jewish ambassador to Rome: Thomas Reinhold
Adaptations
A re-orchestration of Judas Maccabaeus has been attributed to Mozart. A score was rediscovered in 2001, having been presented to the Halifax Choral Society in 1850.Judas Maccabaeus was translated into German and published in 1866 as Volume 22 of the Händel-Gesellschaft.
Come, ever smiling Liberty, / And with thee bring thy jocund train is sung by Maria, the heroine of Mary Wollstonecraft's novel , at the point where she believes herself to have escaped from her abusive husband. She calls her state "Comparative liberty", suggesting that "the jocund train lagged far behind!" because she takes no pleasure in her need for the separation.
''See, the Conqu'ring Hero Comes!''
The third act chorus See, the Conqu'ring Hero Comes! has been adapted several times.Ludwig van Beethoven composed twelve variations on the for piano and cello in 1796.
The German Advent song Tochter Zion, freue dich by Friedrich Heinrich Ranke, published in 1826, uses the tune. In 1884 the Swiss writer Edmond Louis Budry wrote new French words to the tune, creating the Easter hymn À toi la gloire, O Ressuscité!, which was later translated into English as Thine Be the Glory.
See, the Conqu'ring Hero Comes! gained familiarity as the tune invariably played by brass bands at the opening of new railway lines and stations in Britain during the 19th century.
The military march Honor i Gloria a los Héroes de la Patria by the Italian-born Chilean composer Pedro Césari uses the melody in its middle section. It is the official parade march of the Chilean Air Force Aviation School.
The tune was adapted as a movement in Sir Henry Wood's Fantasia on British Sea Songs, which is regularly played at the Last Night of the Proms concert
A Hebrew translation of "See, the Conqu'ring Hero Comes!" by, prepared for the 1932 Maccabiah Games, has become popular in Israel during Hanukkah. Another Hebrew version for Hanukkah was written by the Israeli children's poet and author Levin Kipnis.
The song Zion's Daughter uses a reworked version of the tune of See, the conqu'ring hero comes! It was included in Boney M's 1981 Christmas Album.
An instrumental rendition of the chorus is played during award ceremonies at Japanese schools while recipients proceed to the stage to receive their awards.
Orchestration
The following orchestration was recorded by Chrysander in the Händel-Gesellschaft edition of 1866:- violins I, II
- violas
- cellos
- basses
- recorders I, II
- oboes I, II
- flutes I, II
- horns I, II
- trumpets I, II, III
- bassoon I, II
- timpani
- organ
- keyboard
Dramatis personae
- Judas Maccabaeus
- Simon, his Brother
- Israelitish Woman
- Israelitish Man
- Eupolemus, the Jewish Ambassador to Rome
- First Messenger
- Second Messenger
- Chorus of Israelites
- Chorus of Youths
- Chorus of Virgins
Summary
| Part | No. | Type | Title | Voices | Tempo | Time Signature | Key Signature |
| 1 | 1 | Overture | Largo, Allegro, Largo | 4/4, 3/8, 4/4 | G minor | ||
| 1 | 2 | Chorus | Mourn, ye afflicted children | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Largo | 4/4 | C minor |
| 1 | 3 | Recitative | Well may your sorrows | Israelitish man | 4/4 | ||
| 1 | 4 | Duet | From this dread scene | Israelitish man, Israelitish woman | Andante e staccato | 3/4 | G minor |
| 1 | 5 | Chorus | For Sion lamentation make | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Larghetto e un poco piano, Adagio | 12/8, 4/4 | F minor |
| 1 | 6 | Recitative | Not vain is all this storm of grief | Simon | 4/4 | ||
| 1 | 7 | Air | Pious orgies | Israelitish woman | Largo e sostenuto | 4/4 | E flat major |
| 1 | 8 | Chorus | O Father, whose Almighty power | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Larghetto, Allegro | 3/4, 4/4 | B flat major |
| 1 | 9 | Recitative | I feel the Deity within | Simon | 4/4 | ||
| 1 | 10 | Air | Arm, arm, ye brave | Simon | Allegro | 4/4 | C major |
| 1 | 11 | Chorus | We come, in bright array | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Allegro | 3/4 | C major |
| 1 | 12 | Recitative | 'Tis well, my friends | Judas Maccabaeus | 4/4 | ||
| 1 | 13 | Air | Call forth thy powers | Judas Maccabaeus | Allegro | 4/4 | D major |
| 1 | 14 | Recitative | To Heaven's Almighty King we kneel | Israelitish woman | 4/4 | ||
| 1 | 15 | Air | O Liberty, thou choicest treasure | Israelitish woman | Largo | 4/4 | A major |
| 1 | 16 | Air | Come, ever-smiling Liberty | Israelitish woman | Andante | 6/8 | A major |
| 1 | 17 | Recitative | O Judas, may these noble views inspire | Israelitish man | 4/4 | ||
| 1 | 18 | Air | 'Tis Liberty | Israelitish man | Larghetto, Adagio, Larghetto | 4/4 | E major |
| 1 | 19 | Duet | Come, ever-smiling Liberty | Israelitish woman, Israelitish man | Andante | 6/8 | A major |
| 1 | 20 | Chorus | Lead on, lead on | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Allegro | 4/4 | D major |
| 1 | 21 | Recitative | So willed my father | Judas Maccabaeus | 4/4 | ||
| 1 | 22 | Chorus | Disdainful of danger | Alto, Tenor, Bass | Allegro | 3/8 | G major |
| 1 | 23 | Recitative | Ambition! if e'er honour was thine aim | Judas Maccabaeus | 4/4 | ||
| 1 | 24 | Air | No unhallow'd desire | Judas Maccabaeus | Allegro | 6/8 | B flat major |
| 1 | 25 | Recitative | Haste we, my brethren | Israelitish man | 4/4 | ||
| 1 | 26 | Chorus | Hear us, O Lord | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | A tempo giusto | 4/4 | F major |
| 2 | 27 | Chorus | Fallen is the foe | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Allegro moderato | 4/4 | D minor |
| 2 | 28 | Recitative | Victorious hero | Israelitish man | 4/4 | ||
| 2 | 29 | Air | So rapid thy course is | Israelitish man | Allegro, Adagio | 3/8 | G major |
| 2 | 30 | Recitative | Well may hope our freedom to receive | Israelitish man | 4/4 | ||
| 2 | 31 | Duet | Sion now her head shall raise | Israelitish woman, Israelitish man | Andante | 3/4 | G major |
| 2 | 32 | Chorus | Tune your harps | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Andante | 3/4 | G major |
| 2 | 33 | Recitative | O let eternal honours crown his name | Israelitish woman | 4/4 | ||
| 2 | 34 | Air | From mighty kings he took the spoil | Israelitish woman | Andante, Allegro | 12/8, 4/4 | A major |
| 2 | 35 | Duet | Hail, Judea, happy land | Israelitish man, Israelitish woman | Allegro | 4/4 | D major |
| 2 | 36 | Chorus | Hail, Judea, happy land | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Allegro | 4/4 | D major |
| 2 | 37 | Recitative | Thanks to my brethren | Judas Maccabaeus | 4/4 | ||
| 2 | 38 | Air | How vain is man who boasts in fight | Judas Maccabaeus | Andante | 4/4 | F major |
| 2 | 39 | Recitative | O Judas! O my brethren | Israelitish messenger | 4/4 | ||
| 2 | 40 | Air | Ah! wretched Israel | Israelitish woman | Largo | 3/4 | C minor |
| 2 | 41 | Chorus | Ah! wretched Israel | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Largo, Adagio | 3/4 | C minor |
| 2 | 42 | Recitative | Be comforted | Simon | 4/4 | ||
| 2 | 43 | Air | The Lord worketh wonders | Simon | Allegro | 4/4 | A minor |
| 2 | 44 | Recitative | My arms! against this Gorgias will I go | Judas Maccabaeus | 4/4 | ||
| 2 | 45 | Air | Sound an alarm | Judas Maccabaeus | Allegro | 6/8 | D major |
| 2 | 46 | Chorus | We hear | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Allegro | 6/8 | D major |
| 2 | 47 | Recitative | Enough! to Heaven we leave | Simon | 4/4 | ||
| 2 | 48 | Air | With pious hearts | Simon | Larghetto | 3/4 | G minor |
| 2 | 49 | Recitative | Ye worshippers of God | Israelitish man | 4/4 | ||
| 2 | 50 | Air | Wise men, flattering, may deceive you | Israelitish woman | Larghetto | 3/4 | F major |
| 2 | 51 | Duet | O never bow we down | Israelitish woman, Israelitish man | Andante | 3/4 | C minor |
| 2 | 52 | Chorus | We never will bow down | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Andante | 3/4 | C minor, C major |
| 3 | 53 | Air | Father of Heaven | Israelitish man | Andante larghetto | 4/4 | F major |
| 3 | 54 | Recitative | See, see yon flames | Israelitish man | 4/4 | ||
| 3 | 55 | Recitative | O grant it, Heaven | Israelitish woman | 4/4 | ||
| 3 | 56 | Air | So shall the lute and harp awake | Israelitish woman | Allegro, Adagio | 4/4 | B flat major |
| 3 | 57 | Recitative | From Capharsalama | Israelitish messenger, Israelitish messenger | 4/4 | ||
| 3 | 58 | Chorus of Youths; Chorus of Virgins; Chorus | See the conquering hero comes | Soprano, Alto; Soprano ; Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | 2/2 | G major | |
| 3 | 59 | March | Allegro | 2/2 | G major | ||
| 3 | 60 | Duet; Chorus | Sing unto God | Alto, Tenor; Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Allegro | 4/4 | D major |
| 3 | 61 | Recitative | Sweet flow the strains | Judas Maccabaeus | 4/4 | ||
| 3 | 62 | Air | With honour let desert be crowned | Judas Maccabaeus | Andante larghetto | 4/4 | A minor |
| 3 | 63 | Recitative | Peace to my countrymen | Eupolemus | 4/4 | ||
| 3 | 64 | Chorus | To our great God | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Allegro | 4/4 | G minor |
| 3 | 65 | Recitative | Again to earth let gratitude descend | Israelitish woman | 4/4 | ||
| 3 | 66 | Duet | O lovely peace | Israelitish woman, Israelitish man | Allegro | 6/8 | G major |
| 3 | 67 | Air | Rejoice, O Judah | Simon | Andante allegro | 4/4 | D major |
| 3 | 68 | Chorus | Hallelujah, Amen | Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass | Allegro, Adagio | 4/4 | D major |
Recordings
| Year | Cast | Conductor, orchestra and chorus | Label |
| 1963 | Jan Peerce Martina Arroyo David Smith Mary Davenport Mary Davenport Lawrence Avery | Thomas Scherman Vienna State Opera orchestra Vienna Academy chorus | CD: VoxBox Cat: 5125 |
| 1971 | Alexander Young Heather Harper John Shirley-Quirk Helen Watts Patricia Clark Jean Temperley | Johannes Somary English Chamber Orchestra Amor Artis Chorale | CD: Vanguard Classics Cat: OVC 4072 |
| 1977 | Ryland Davies Felicity Palmer John Shirley-Quirk Janet Baker Paul Esswood Christopher Keyte | Charles Mackerras English Chamber Orchestra Wandsworth School Boys' Choir | CD: Deutsche Grammophon Cat: 447692 |
| 1993 | Guy de Mey Lisa Saffer David Thomas Patricia Spence Brian Asawa Leroy Kromm | Nicholas McGegan Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra U.C. Berkley Chamber chorus | CD: Harmonia Mundi Cat: HMX 2907374.75 |
| 2009 | Timothy Bentch Andrea Lauren Brown Ed Bara Dana Wilson Richard Shapp Tatyana Rashkovsky | Valentin Radu Ama Deus Ensemble Baroque orchestra and chorus | CD: Lyrichord Cat: LEMS 8070 |
| 2019 | Kenneth Tarver Deanna Breiwick Joao Fernandes Sophie Harmsen Owen Willetts N/A | Laurence Cummings Göttingen International Handel Festival orchestra NDR chorus | CD: Accent Records Cat: ACC26410 |