Oxford and Cambridge Musical Club

SAUL

an oratorio by

  G F Handel (1739)

Libretto by Charles Jennens

Georg Frideric Handel (1685-1759) established his reputation in London mainly as a composer of Italian operas.  When public taste changed, he swiftly turned to oratorio in English and the first of many biblical subjects to be tackled was Saul. This oratorio has striking purely orchestral music, for example the ‘Dead March’, and the Witch of Endor scene evokes the supernatural with great dramatic effect.

The main characters are depicted with penetrating insight. The two daughters of Saul are sharply differentiated – Merab fiercely independent and Michal sweetly romantic. Jonathan is torn between his filial duty and his affection for David, while Saul himself is a tragic figure, the mad king subject to violent mood swings, at one moment profoundly grateful to David and the next intensely jealous.

The Chorus throughout provides commentary on the action.

‘This oratorio symbolises the threefold union of opera house, church and concert hall.’  (Percy Young).

Synopsis

Part 1

David’s victory over Goliath -  he is presented to Saul – Jonathan’s friendship for him – Saul betroths his eldest daughter Merab to David – her scorn of the alliance – Michal, Saul’s youngest daughter and her companions, celebrate the praises of Saul and David- Saul’s envy is moved – David attempts to quell his anger by music – Saul, on David’s escaping his rage, charges Jonathan and his attendants to destroy him – Jonathan’s struggle between his filial duty and his affection for David – supplication of divine protection for David.

Part 2

The hatefulness of envy – Jonathan intercedes with Saul for David – Saul, feigning to be reconciled to David, makes him leader of his armies and bestows on him his daughter Michal, who had cherished an affection for him, instead of Merab, who had formerly scorned him, and had since been given to another – Saul’s rage is renewed on David’s returning safe from the wars, and he again attempts his destruction.

Part 3

Saul, in remorse and fear, resorts to the witch of Endor – Samuel being raised up warns him of his ruin – tidings of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan are brought to David – he avenges Saul’s death – lamentation for Saul and Jonathan – recognition of David as leader and ruler of the people of Israel.

PART THE FIRST
Sinfonia				Welcome, welcome	Chorus
How excellent Thy Name		Chorus		What do I hear	Recit
An infant rais’d		Air		David his ten thousand slew	Chorus
Along the monster atheist strode		Trio		To him ten thousands	Recit
The youth inspir’d		Chorus		With rage I shall burst	Air
Our fainting courage soon restor’d		Chorus		Imprudent women	Recit
How excellent Thy Name		Chorus		Fell rage and black despair	Air
Hallelujah		Chorus		Rack’d with infernal pains	Recit
Behold O King		Recit		O Lord whose mercies	Air
O King, your favour		Air		‘Tis all in vain	Recit
O early piety		Recit		A serpent in my bosom warm’d	Air
Thou, Merab, first in birth		Recit		Has he escap’d my rage	Recit
My soul rejects the thought		Air		O filial piety	Recit
See, see with what a scornful air		Air		No, no cruel, father, no	Air
Sinfonia				Preserve him for the glory	Chorus
Already are the daughters of the land		Recit
PART THE SECOND
Envy! Eldest born of hell		Chorus		Thy father is as cruel and as false	Recit
Hast thou obey’d		Recit		At persecution I can laugh	Duet
Sin not, O King		Air		Whom dost thou seek?	Recit
As great Jehovah lives		Air		No, no! let the guilty tremble	Air
Wisest and greatest		Air		Sinfonia
Appear, my friend		Recit		The time at length is come	Recit
A father’s will		Recit		Where is the son of Jesse?	Recit
O fairest of ten thousand fair		Duet		O fatal consequence of rage	Chorus
Is there a man?		Chorus
PART THE THIRD
Wretch that I am	Recit			Mourn, Israel	Chorus
‘Tis said here lives a woman	Recit			Oh, let it not in Gath	Air
With me what wouldst thou	Recit			Brave Jonathan	Air
Infernal spirits	Air			Eagles were not so swift as they	Chorus
Why hast thou forced me?	Recit Accomp			In sweetest harmony	Air
Sinfonia				O fatal day	Solo & Chorus
Whence com’st thou?	Recit			Ye men of Judah	Recit
Impious wretch	Air			Gird on thy sword	Chorus
Dead March