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