The story of the oratorio takes place in a single day and is based on the Biblical stories found in 4 and 5 Judges. The Israelites have been subjugated for 20 years by the Canaanites, when the prophetess Deborah foretells the death of the Canaanite commander Sisera at the hands of a woman. The Israelite commander Barak leads them into battle against the Canaanites. The Israelites are victorious and a woman, Jael, assassinates Sisera as he sleeps in her tent.
Librettist | Samuel Humphreys |
Date of composition | 1733 |
Premiered | 1733, March 17th (King's Theatre in the Haymarket) in London, UK |
Type | Oratorio |
Catalogue | HWV 51 |
Spoken language | English |
Instruments |
Orchestra
Voice (Soprano) - Deborah Voice (Castrato) - Barak, commander of the Israelite army Voice (Bass) - Abinoam Voice (Alto) - Sisera Voice (Soprano) - Jael Voice (Soprano) - An Israelite Woman Voice (Bass) - Chief Priest of Israelites Voice (Bass) - Chief Priest of Baal Voice (Tenor) - Herald Chorus/Choir - Priests and Israelites, Priests of Baal |
Links | |
Autotranslations beta |
Georg Friedrich Haendel: Deborah, HWV 51 Georg Friedrich Händel: Deborah, HWV 51 Georg Friedrich Händel: Deborah, HWV 51 |