Juditha triumphans
Juditha triumphans devicta Holofernis barbarie (literally: " The triumphant over the barbarians of Holofernes Judith ", RV 644 ) is an oratorio by Antonio Vivaldi, the only surviving of the four oratorios, which he composed. The libretto was written by Iacopo Cassetti and deals with the subject of the biblical Book of Judith.
Juditha triumphans was composed in November 1716 in Venice and premiered by the orchestra and choir of the Ospedale della Pietà. The work was commissioned by the Venetian Republic in order to celebrate the victory against the Turks at the siege of Corfu in the same year. In July 1716 the Turks had landed on Corfu. The population resisted, and in August, Venice signed an alliance with the Holy Roman Empire. On 18 August, won the decisive battle under the leadership of Count Johann Matthias von der Schulenburg, and the Turks left the island. The story of Judith, who defeated the besieging their city Holofernes, should therefore be seen as an allegory of the Turks victorious Venetians.
Juditha Triumphans premiered in November at the Pietà in the presence of General von der Schulenburg and was a great success.
Occupation
All roles were sung at the first performance by the girls of the Pietà.
- Juditha, contralto, a young widow bethulische
- Vagaus, soprano, eunuch, Holofernes ' Knappe
- Holofernes, contralto, Assyrian commander
- Abra, soprano, Juditha maid
- Ozias, contralto, high priest of Bethulien
A female choir sings the parts of the Assyrian soldiers and bethulischen women.
The string orchestra is in the original cast by Timpani, 2 trumpets, mandolin, 4 theorbo, 5 ( viola da gamba ) " violas all'inglese ", 1 viola d' amore, 2 recorders, 2 Soopran - chalumeau, 2 oboes and organ increasingly.
Action
The Assyrian king Nebuchadnezzar sent an army under General Holofernes to Israel to collect overdue tribute. The Assyrians besieging the city Bethulien and are in the course to conquer them. The young Jewish widow Judith goes to him to implore mercy. He falls in love with them, and they are a sham his insistence after. After a hearty meal, and the consumption of a lot of wine Holofernes falls asleep. Judith cuts off his head and return victorious after Bethulien.