| Operas by Ildebrando Pizzetti |
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Operas
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Dèbora e Jaéle (Deborah and Jael) is an opera in three acts by the Italian composer Ildebrando Pizzetti. Pizzetti also wrote the libretto, which is based on the story of Deborah and Jael from the Book of Judges in the Bible. The opera was first performed at La Scala, Milan on 16 December 1922.
Contents |
| Role | Voice type | Premiere cast Conductor: Arturo Toscanini |
|---|---|---|
| Dèbora | contralto | Elvira Mari-Casazza |
| Jaéle | soprano | Giulia Tess |
| Mara | mezzo-soprano | Anna Gramegna |
| Azriél | tenor | Alfredo Tedeschi |
| Scillèm | tenor | Luigi Cilla |
| King Sisera | tenor | John Sample |
| Piràm/shepherd | tenor | Aristide Baracchi |
| Jàfìa | tenor | Giuseppe Nessi |
| A slave | tenor | Guido Uxa |
| Jèsser | baritone | Osvaldo Pellegrini |
| Hèver | bass | Umberto Di Lelio |
| Baràk | bass | Vincenzo Cassia |
| Blind man of Kinnèreth | bass | Ezio Pinza |
| Nabì/Adonisédék | bass | Giovanni Azzimonti |
| Talmài | bass | Amleto Galli |
The Israelite prophetess Deborah preaches war against the Canaanite king Sisera. Sisera is hiding within the walls of an impregnable fortress. Knowing the king is in love with Jael, she sends the latter, accompanied by Mara, to lure him out.
Jael is brought into the king's presence and attempts to kill him. But she falls in love with Sisera and he pardons her. Mara sings of the son she has lost at the hands of the Canaanites and stirs Jael's conscience. Sisera allows Jael to leave the fortress, promising to meet her again after he has defeated the Israelites.
The Israelites defeat the Canaanites in battle and Sisera seeks refuge in Jael's tent. Deborah demands that he be handed over but Jael refuses. But, as an Israelite mob approaches, Jael kills Sisera in his sleep to save him from a worse death.