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Programme in the Series

 

Antonio Vivaldi, the Venetian Genius

 

 

Performers:

MUSICA HUMANA Ensemble

Artistic director and conductor ALGIRDAS VIZGIRDA

 

Roles and soloists:

Juditha, a young Bethulian widow – RITA NOVIKAITĖ (mezzo-soprano)

Abra, Juditha's handmaid – JULIJA STUPNIANEK (soprano)

Holofernes, Assyrian general – JURGA PRAKELYTĖ (mezzo-soprano)

Vagaus, Holofernes's squire – RAMINTA VAICEKAUSKAITĖ (soprano)

Ozias, high priest of Bethulia – MINDAUGAS ZIMKUS (tenor)

Choruses of the Assyrian soldiers and of the Bethulian women – ALEKSEJUS KNUTOVAS (tenor) and IGNAS MISIŪRA (bass)

 

Programme:

ANTONIO VIVALDI  (1678–1741)

Fragments from the sacred military oratorio Juditha triumphans devicta Holofernis barbarie, RV 644 (1716); libretto by Iacopo Cassetti after the Book of Judith (The Old Testament).

Instrumental intermedia:

Sinfonia in G major, RV 149 (1729–1730): II. Andante

Sinfonia from the opera L'Olimpiade, RV 725 (1734): I. Allegro

 

Part of the CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES

 

Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi composed four oratorios, but today only one of his creations is extant – Juditha triumphans, composed in 1716 and based on Old Testament. This religious story has inspired many a composer including the fifteen-years-old W.A. Mozart, who wrote his only oratorio Betulia liberata in 1771. The biblical story and Vivaldi’s composition drew the attention of Musica Humana ensemble and soloists who decided to include this opus in the series "Antonio Vivaldi, the Venetian Genius."

 

Synopsis

The Asysrian king Nebuchadrezzar sends an army against Israel to demand overdue tributes. Under the leadership of the general Holofernes, the assyrian 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.

Ticket prices: Lt20 Lt30

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