Juditha triumphans


Juditha triumphans devicta Holofernis barbarie, RV 644, is an oratorio by Antonio Vivaldi. Although the rest of the oratorio survives completely intact, the overture has been lost. The Latin libretto was written by Iacopo Cassetti based upon the Book of Judith.
The exact date of composition and performance of Juditha triumphans are not known, but the allegorical treatment of the Venetian defense of Corfu dominated public discussion in Venice throughout 1716. This work was an allegorical description of the victory of the Venetians over the Turks in August 1716. The work was commissioned to celebrate the victory of the Republic of Venice over the Turks during the siege of Corfu: in July 1716, the Turks had landed on Corfu and set siege to the island. The population resisted the occupation and, in August, Venice signed an alliance with the Holy Roman Emperor. On 18 August, under the leadership of Count Johann Matthias von der Schulenburg, the decisive battle was won and the Turks abandoned the island.
Although it has been suggested that Juditha triumphans was performed at the Ospedale della Pietà in November 1716, the victorious General Schulenburg, to whom the work is dedicated, could not have been present for any performance prior to January 3, 1717.

Score

All characters, male and female, were interpreted by women of the Ospedale della Pietà. They are:
  • Juditha, contralto, a young Bethulian widow
  • Holofernes, contralto, Assyrian general
  • Vagaus, soprano, eunuch, Holofernes's squire
  • Abra, soprano, Juditha's handmaid
  • Ozias, contralto, high priest of Bethulia
An all-female choir sings the parts of the Assyrian soldiers and of the Bethulian women. In the tradition of the Ospedale della Pietà, where some of the singers were trained to sing below the normal contralto range, the chorus is scored for SATB.
The string orchestra is augmented by timpani, 2 trumpets, mandolino, 4 theorbos, 5 "viole all'inglese", 1 viola d'amore, 2 recorders, 2 chalumeaux, "Clareni", 2 oboes, organ.

Plot

The Assyrian king Nebuchadnezzar sends an army against Israel to demand overdue tributes. Under the leadership of the general Holofernes, the Assyrians lay siege to the town of Bethulia and are about to conquer it. The young Jewish widow Judith goes to him to implore mercy. He falls in love with her and she indulges him. After a rich banquet and having drunk much wine, Holofernes falls asleep. Judith beheads him, flees the enemy camp, and returns victorious to Bethulia.

Recordings