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La resurrezione
Oratorio by Georg Friedrich Händel From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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La resurrezione (The Resurrection), HWV 47, is an oratorio by George Frideric Handel, set to a libretto by Carlo Sigismondo Capece (1652–1728). Capece was court poet to Queen Marie Casimire of Poland, who was living in exile in Rome. It was first performed on Easter Sunday, 8 April 1708 at Rome, with the backing of the Marchese Francesco Ruspoli, Handel's patron at this time. The work details the events between — and during — Good Friday and Easter Sunday, with the action carried forward in recitative, and exploration of character and delineation of mood taking place in the arias. The characters of the liturgical drama that appear in the oratorio are Lucifer (bass), Mary Magdalene (soprano), an angel (soprano), John the Evangelist (tenor), and Mary Cleophas (alto).
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First performance
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A large orchestra was employed for the occasion, consisting of 39 strings of varying types, 1 viola da gamba, 2 trumpets, 1 trombone, and 4 oboes. The staging and scenery were also lavishly produced, and though Roman censorship of the time forbade opera, La resurrezione was certainly produced in an operatic manner. It was produced at Ruspoli's Palazzo in the main hall on the ground floor. A series of terraced seats, 4 in number, was built for the orchestra, curved towards the audience and rising at the back. Twenty-eight specially commissioned music stands were built for the occasion, engraved with either the coat-of-arms of Ruspoli or his wife. The proscenium was decorated with a tapestry depicting cherubs, palm trees, and foliage: in the middle of which hung a plaque with the name of the oratorio. The 46 letters were spread out over 4 lines, each letter about 18 cm in height. These letters were brought into prominence by the backing light of seventy light pans. The canvas backdrop represented pictorially the characters of Handel's oratorio, and in the centre was depicted the resurrection itself.
The role of Mary Magdalene was sung at the first performance by the soprano Margherita Durastanti. The participation of female singers was prohibited by Papal edict, and the Pope went to the length of admonishing Ruspoli for permitting Durastanti to take part. For the remaining performances, her role was sung by a castrato. The only details given concerning this individual are that he was called "Pippo", and that he was in service to the former Queen Casimire. Durastanti later sang the title role in Handel's Agrippina. The aria "Ho un non so che", which she had sung as Mary Magdalene anticipating the resurrection, appears entirely unadapted for her to sing in Agrippina, though in a different context. The violins at the first performance of La resurrezione were led by the famous violinist Arcangelo Corelli (who also conducted the work). It was most likely Ernst Christian Hesse who played the demanding viola da gamba solo part.[1]
Other catalogues of Handel's music have referred to the work as HG xxxix; and HHA i/3.[2]
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Roles
Structure
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Libretto and plot
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The libretto, based on the New Testament accounts of Christ's resurrection, reinterprets them in verse rather than a literal Italian translation. This approach parallels Barthold Heinrich Brockes' Der für die Sünde der Welt gemarterte und sterbende Jesus. Five characters engage in philosophical debates to grasp the meaning of Christ's death and resurrection.
The first part unfolds on the night between Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday, highlighting the power struggle between angels and devils. The radiant angel descends to the gates of hell to allow Christ to bring light into the darkness (Disserratevi, o porte d'Averno)—a move fiercely opposed by Lucifer (Caddi, è ver...). Believing he has thwarted Christ’s salvation by killing Him, Lucifer thinks he has triumphed. The angel shatters this illusion, declaring that the "mighty King of Glory" will put him in his place. Furious, Lucifer summons his hellish allies—the powers of Erebos and the Eumenides—to ravage the earth and wage war in heaven (O voi dell’Erebo).
As Maddalena and Cleofe mourn the deceased Christ (Ferma l'ali, e sui miei lumi ; Piangete, sì, piangete ; duet), John the Evangelist comes to comfort them: Jesus had promised to rise again on the third day (Quando è parto dell'affetto). Maddalena wants to go to the tomb to anoint Christ's body. Hoping to perhaps even find the Saviour alive, Cleofe goes with her (Naufragando va per l'onde). John the Evangelist, however, wants to take care of Mary, the mother of Jesus (Itene pure, o fide ; Così la tortorella talor piange e si lagna).
The angel now frees the patriarchs and prophets from their hellish dungeons, they can now follow Christ into Heaven thanks to the Lord's triumph (Uscite pur, uscite ). The first part ends jubilantly with the victory over death (Il Nume vincitor).
The second part begins on Easter morning in Jerusalem. John appears joyful because Jesus has fulfilled his promise to overcome evil (Ecco il sol, ch'esce dal mare). He follows the women to Jesus' tomb to share in the miracle of the resurrection.
The angel now tells Lucifer about Christ's triumph over evil and death (Risorga il mondo). Lucifer reacts with disbelief and vows to keep this news from mankind (Per celare il nuovo scorno). However, the angel has been given the heavenly task of spreading the good news throughout the world (Duet : Impedirlo saprò!) with the help of Maddalena and Cleofe.
Maddalena and Cleofe, still unaware, approach Christ's tomb mournfully and with great uncertainty. Will the Saviour still be there? Will guards prevent them from approaching the tomb? Maddalena, however, radiates confidence, for she is certain that Jesus died for her as well (Per me già di morire). Meanwhile, Lucifer realizes that his battle against Heaven has been lost (Ahi, abborrito nome!). Christ, who has defeated him, banishes him back to the deepest abyss of hell.
Maddalena and Cleofe, who now arrive at Jesus' tomb, find it open. The angel sits in front of it and announces to the women that Jesus has risen from the dead, and instructs them to spread this news everywhere. Maddalena, knowing that all tribulation is now over, wants to set out, like Cleofe, to search for the risen Lord (Sì, sì cerchiamo pur).
John the Evangelist meets Cleofe, who is looking for him and tells him that Jesus' tomb is empty and that he has risen from the dead: an angel told her this (Augeletti, ruscelletti - with the violins in unison). But John has already heard this good news from the Virgin Mary (Caro Figlio, amato Dio - with cello accompaniment). Maddalena now arrives excitedly and reports that she saw a man in a shining robe in the garden near the tomb, who was apparently the risen Christ (Cleofe, Giovanni, udite ; Se impassibile, immortale).
Now John begins to rejoice and cries out: “Jesus lives!” All three rejoice at the good news that will redeem the world (Diasi lode in cielo, in terra). Under the sign of the rising sun and the divine light of the resurrection, the oratorio comes to a jubilant end.
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Highlights
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The greatest highlight is "Disserratevi, o porte d'Averno" (Angel, soprano) recorded by Cecilia Bartoli (Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski) and by Sandrine Piau (Handel: Between Heaven and Earth). Mary Magdalene's aria "Ferma l'ali, e sui miei lumi" is sometimes interpreted in recitals (Arianna Vendittelli).
There are three main arias for alto (Cleophas) "Piangete, sì, piangete" (Gabriella Martellacci), "Naufragando va per l'onde" and "Augeletti, ruscelletti", by Ann Hallenberg. "Dolci chiodi, amate spine" is a duet for soprano and alto (Mary Magdalene and Cleophas).
Basses (Lucifer) have three main arias: "Caddi, è ver, ma nel cadere" (Christopher Purves, baritone : Finest Arias for Base Voice, Vol.1 Arcangelo), "O voi dell’Erebo" and "Qual’insolita luce".
There are also a few fine arias for tenor (John the Baptist) : "Ecco il sol" and "Così la tortorella" recorded by Ian Bostridge (Great Handel, with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Harry Bicket) ; "Così la tortorella", again, recorded by Rolando Villazón (Handel Arias, with Gabrieli Players and Paul McCreesh); "Caro figlio, amato Dio, già il cor mio" (by Luca Cervoni : Missing Vittorio, Arias for Vittorio Chiccheri, with Concerto Romano, Alessandro Quarta) and finally "Quando è parto dell'affetto".
Mary Magdalene's aria "Ho un non so che nel cor" was reused (also as "Ho un non so che nel cor") in Agrippina. It was originally a movement from Corelli's Violin sonata op.5, n°8, a homage to Corelli who was the lead violinist and led the orchestra at the premiere of La Resurrezione[3]. "Col raggio placido" (Pallas, in Agrippina, end of act II) is based on Lucifer's aria "O voi dell'Erebo", which seems to be based on an aria in Reinhard Keiser's 1705 opera Octavia.
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Notes
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