Israel in Egypt (oratorio)

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Israel in Egypt (HWV 054) is a biblical oratorio by the composer George Frideric Handel. The text is mainly from Exodus and the Prayer book psalter, and was premiered at London's King's theatre in Haymarket on April 4, 1739. Handel started it soon after the opera season at King's theatre was cancelled because of a lack of subscribers. The oratorio was not well received by audiences, although commended in the London Daily Post, and the second performance was shortened, and the mainly choral work was augmented with Italian arias.

An early version of the piece is in three parts rather than the later two; incorporating the first part more famous as "The ways of Zion do Mourn", with altered text as "The Sons of Israel do Mourn" lamenting the death of Joseph. This section precedes the Exodus which in the tripartite version is Part II rather than Part I. This variant has been recorded by Andrew Parrott and Stephen Cleobury a.o.

This oratorio is notable for being the earliest known recorded music, made in The Crystal Palace by Col. George Gouraud in 1888-06-29 on Edison's yellow paraffin cylinder.

Contents 1 Text 1.1 Part I 1.2 Part II 2 Other Texts 3 Reference

[edit] Text

1. Overture

[edit] Part I

2. Recitative (tenor)

Now there arose a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph; and he set over Israel taskmasters to afflict them with burthens, and they made them serve with rigour.(Exodus 1:8, 11, 13)

3. Alto Solo and Chorus

And the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and their cry came unto God. They oppressed them with burthens, and made them serve with rigour;

{and their cry came up unto God.} (Exodus 2:23; Exodus 1:13)

4. Recitative (tenor)

Then sent He Moses, His servant, and Aaron whom He had chosen; these shewed His signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham. - He turned their waters into blood. (Psalm 105:26, 27, 29)

5. Chorus

They loathed to drink of the river. He turned their waters into blood. (Exodus 7:18; Psalm 105:29)

6. Air (alto)

Their land brought forth frogs, yea, even in their king's chambers. (Psalm 105:30)

{He gave their cattle over to the pestilence; blotches and blains broke forth on man and beast. (Exodus 11:9, 10)}

7. Chorus

He spake the word, and there came all manner of flies and lice in all quarters.

He spake; and the locusts came without number, and devoured the fruits of the land. (Psalm 105:31, 34, 35)

8. Chorus

He gave them hailstones for rain; fire mingled with the hail ran along upon the ground. (Psalm 105:3; Exodus 9:23, 24)

9. Chorus

He sent a thick darkness over the land, even darkness which might be felt. (Exodus 10:21)

10. Chorus

He smote all the first-born of Egypt, the chief of all their strength. (Psalm 105:36, 37)

11. Chorus

But as for His people, He led them forth like sheep: He brought them out with silver and gold; there was not one feeble person among their tribes. (Psalm 78:53; Psalm 105:37)

12. Chorus

Egypt was glad when they departed, for the fear of them fell upon them. (Psalm 105:38)

13. Chorus

He rebuked the Red Sea, and it was dried up. {...} (Psalm 106:9)

14. Chorus {...} He led them through the deep as through a wilderness.(Psalm 106:9) 15. Chorus

But the waters overwhelmed their enemies, there was not one of them left. (Psalm 106:11)

16. Chorus

And Israel saw that great work that the Lord did upon the Egyptians; and the people feared the Lord, {...} (Exodus 14:31)

17. Chorus {...} and believed the Lord and His servant Moses. (Exodus 14:31)

[edit] Part II

18. Chorus

Moses and the children of Israel sung this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying: {...} (Exodus 15:1)

19. Chorus

{...} I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea. (Exodus 15:1)

20. Duet (soprano 1 & 2)

The Lord is my strength and my song; He is become my salvation. (Exodus 15:2)

21. Chorus

He is my god, and I will prepare Him an habitation; my father's God, {...} (Exodus 15:2)

22. Chorus

{...} and I will exalt Him. (Exodus 15:2)

23. Duet (bass 1 & 2)

The Lord is a man of war: Lord is His name. Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath He cast into the sea; his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea. (Exodus 15:3, 4)

24. Chorus

The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. (Exodus 15:5)

25. Chorus

Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power; Thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. (Exodus 15:6)

26. Chorus

And in the greatness of Thine excellency Thou hast overthrown them that rose up against Thee. {...} (Exodus 15:7)

27. Chorus

{...} Thou sentest forth Thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. (Exodus 15:7)

28. Chorus

And with the blast of Thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. (Exodus 15:8)

29. Air (tenor)

The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. (Exodus 15:9)

30. Air (soprano)

Thou didst blow with the wind, the sea covered them; they sank as lead in the mighty waters. (Exodus 15:10)

31. Chorus

Who is like unto Thee, O Lord, among the gods. Who is like Thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou strechedst out Thy right hand, {...} (Exodus 15:11, 12)

32. Chorus

{...} the earth swallowed them. (Exodus 15:11, 12)

33. Duet (alto and tenor)

Thou in Thy mercy hast led forth Thy people which Thou hast redeemed; Thou hast guided them in Thy strength unto Thy holy habitation. (Exodus 15:13)

34. Chorus

The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on them: all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away: by the greatness of Thy arm they shall be as still as a stone; till Thy people pass over, O Lord, which Thou hast purchased. (Exodus 15:14, 15, 16)

35. Air (alto)

Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of Thine inheritance, in the place, O Lord, which Thou hast made for Thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which Thy hands have established. (Exodus 15:17)

36. Chorus The Lord shall reign for ever and ever. (Exodus 15:18) 37. Recitative (tenor)

For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the Lord brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. (Exodus 15:19)

38. Double Chorus

The Lord shall reign for ever and ever. (Exodus 15:18)

39. Recitative (tenor)

And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them: (Exodus 15:20, 21)

40. Soprano Solo and Chorus

Sing ye to the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously!

The Lord shall reign for ever and ever.

The horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea.

The Lord shall reign for ever and ever.

I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously,

the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea. (Exodus 15:21)

[edit] Other Texts

See "Texts" category on page List of compositions by George Frideric Handel

[edit] Reference

Anthony Hicks. "George Frideric Handel", Grove Music Online, ed. L. Macy (accessed May 20, 2006), grovemusic.com (subscription access).