Israel in Egypt
Libretto
Israel in Egypt, HWV 54
Oratorio in due parti
Musica di George Frideric Handel
Libretto attribuito a Charles Jennens
Prima esecuzione: Londra, King's Theatre, 4 Aprile 1739
Testo del libretto
PARTE PRIMA
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Chorus
They loathed to drink of the river.
He turned their waters into blood.
5. Air (alto)
Their land brought forth frogs, yea,
even in their king's chambers.
He gave their cattle over to the pestilence;
blotches and blains broke forth on man and beast.
6. 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 ground.
7. Chorus
He gave them hailstones for rain;
fire mingled with the hail ran along upon the ground.
8. Chorus
He sent a thick darkness over the land,
even darkness which might be felt.
9. Chorus
He smote all the first-born of Egypt,
the chief of all their strength.
10. 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.
11. Chorus
Egypt was glad when they departed,
for the fear of them fell upon them.
12. Chorus
He rebuked the Red Sea, and it was dried up.
He led them through the deep as through a wilderness.
But the waters overwhelmed their enemies,
there was not one of them left.
13. Chorus
And Israel saw that great work
that the Lord did upon the Egyptians;
and the people feared the Lord,
and believed the Lord and His servant Moses.
PARTE SECONDA
14. Chorus
Moses and the children of Israel sung this song unto the Lord,
and spake, saying: I will sing unto the Lord,
for He hath triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea.
15. Duet (soprano 1 & 2)
The Lord is my strength and my song;
He is become my salvation.
16. Chorus
He is my god, and I will prepare Him an habitation;
my father's God, and I will exalt Him.
17. 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.
18. Chorus
The depths have covered them:
they sank into the bottom as a stone.
19. Chorus
Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power;
Thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.
And in the greatness of Thine excellency
Thou hast overthrown them that rose up against Thee.
Thou sentest forth Thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
20. 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.
21. 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.
22. Air (soprano)
Thou didst blow with the wind, the sea covered them;
they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
23. 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, the earth swallowed them.
24. 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.
25. 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 ha st purchased.
26. 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.
27a. Chorus
The Lord shall reign for ever and ever.
28. 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.
27b. Double Chorus
The Lord shall reign for ever and ever.
29. 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:
30. Soprano Solo and Chorus
Sing ye to the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea.
FINE DELL'ORATORIO
Libretto inviato da Armando Casarini
Ultimo aggiornamento: 17-10-21