Juditha triumphans

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First edition of Juditha triumphans

Juditha triumphans devicta Holofernis barbarie, Vivaldi catalogue number RV 644, is an oratorio by Antonio Vivaldi, the only survivor of the four that he is known to have composed. The libretto was written by Iacopo Cassetti, based upon the Biblical Book of Judith.

Juditha triumphans was composed and performed in 1716 in Venice by the orchestra and choir of the Ospedale della Pietà.

The work was commissioned to celebrate the victory of the Republic of Venice over the Turks and the recapture of the island of Corfù. In July 1716, the Turks had landed on Corfù and set siege to the island. The population resisted the occupation and in August, Venice signed an alliance with the Austrian Empire. On 18 August, under the leadership of count Johann Matthias von der Schulenburg, the decisive battle was won and the Turks abandoned the island.

Juditha Triumphans was represented at the Pietà in November and was a great success. The story of Judith and her victory on the invading Holofernes was an allegory of Venice defeating the invading Turks. The victorious General von der Schulenburg was among the audience.

[edit] Score

All characters, male and female, were interpreted by the girls of the Ospedale. They are:

Juditha, mezzo-soprano, a young Bethulian widow.
Vagaus, soprano, eunuch, Holofernes's squire.
Holofernes, mezzo-soprano, Assyrian general.
Abra, mezzo-soprano, Juditha's handmaid.
Ozias, mezzo-soprano, high priest of Bethulia.

An all-female choir sings the parts of the Assyrian soldiers and of the Bethulian women.

The string orchestra is augmented by timpani, trumpets, horns, mandolin, theorbe, archlute, guitar, viola all'inglese, viola d'amore, recorder, chalumeau, oboe, and two harpsichords.

[edit] Plot

The Assyrian king Nebuchadrezzar sends an army against Israel to demand overdue tributes. Under the leadership of the general Holofernes, the Assyrians lay siege to the town of Bethulia and are about to conquer it. The young Jewish widow Judith goes to him to implore mercy. He falls in love with her and she indulges him. After a rich banquet and having drunk much wine, Holofernes falls asleep. Judith beheads him, flees the enemy camp, and returns victorious to Bethulia.