Antonio Vivaldi - Juditha Triumphans - Nil arma, nil bella

For high quality: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkjaxNEc6hY&fmt=18
Vivaldi: Juditha Triumphans devicta Holofernes barbarie, RV 644 - Pars Prior:

Recitativo: Felix in fausta dies

Aria: Nil arma, nil bella

Performed by: I Barocchisti and Coro della Radio Svizzera

Holofernes: Guillemette Laurens

Directed by: Diego Fasolis

Juditha triumphans devicta Holofernis barbarie translated as Judith triumphant over the barbarians of Holofernes, Vivaldi catalogue number RV 644, is an oratorio by Antonio Vivaldi, the only survivor of the four that he is known to have composed. The libretto was written by Iacopo Cassetti, based upon the Biblical Book of Judith.
The Assyrian king Nebuchadrezzar 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.

All characters, male and female, were interpreted by the girls of the Ospedale. They are:
Juditha, contralto, a young Bethulian widow.
Vagaus, soprano, eunuch, Holofernes's squire.
Holofernes, contralto, Assyrian general.
Abra, soprano, Juditha's handmaid.
Ozias, contralto, high priest of Bethulia.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• vivaldi
• barocchisti
• juditha
• triumphans
• chorus
• arma
• caedes
• violin
• orchestra
• oratorio
• giuditta
• sacred
• baroque
• music
• galfetti
• fasolis
• diego
• coro
• radio
• svizzera
• holofernes
• nil
• bela
• felix
• fausta
• dies