Nabal (Handel)

George Frideric Handel

Nabal (no HWV number) is an oratorio pastiche. It was compiled from the works of Handel in 1764 by John Christopher Smith. It was first performed on 16 March 1764 at Covent Garden, London.

The recitatives are presumably the work of Smith, while the arias are largely borrowed from Handel's operas, oratorios, anthems and cantatas.

Dramatis Personae

Summary

Part Movement Type Voice Text (first lines)
1 1 Symphonia
(Largo, Allegro, Largo, Minuet)
1 2 Recitative David Here in the Wilderness of Paran
1 3 Chorus The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance
1 4 Accompagnato David Have mercy on us, Lord
1 5 Air David Food they ask'd
1 6 Recitative Asaph No doubt
1 7 Air Asaph The Lord, our guide
1 8 Chorus The Lord our guide
1 9 Recitative Abigail How hard the woman's fate
1 10 Air Abigail Free from discord
1 11 Recitative Nabal Avaunt, unpleasing wretch
1 12 Air Nabal Still fill the bowl
1 13 Ballo and Minuet
1 14 Gavotte
1 15 Siciliana
1 16 Air Shepherd Gay and light as yonder sheep
1 17 Chorus Gay and light as yonder sheep
1 18 Recitative Nabal 'Tis Carmel's annual holiday
1 19 Chorus Happy, while we reign in pleasure
2 1 Recitative David Asaph, 'tis well advis'd
2 2 Air David Great Creator
2 3 Chorus God, who in they heav'nly hand
2 4 Recitative and Accompagnato Asaph Thus saith my Lord
2 5 Air Asaph Grateful hearts enjoy the blessing
2 6 Recitative Nabal Who is this David?
2 7 Air Nabal With harps new strung
2 8 Solo and Chorus Shepherd Come! Come! Live with pleasure
2 9 Air and Chorus Shepherd Sing we the feast
2 10 Chorus Crown with festal pomp the day
2 11 Accompagnato Abigail Thrice happy sheep
2 12 Air Abigail Mind eternal
2 13 Recitative Shepherd, Abigail Fly my good mistress
2 14 Accompagnato David Fell monster!
2 15 Air David Fury in all they terrors rise
2 16 Accompagnato Abigail On me, my Lord, on me
2 17 Air Abigail Mercy, thou heavn'ly cherub
2 18 Accompagnato David Blessed be the Lord
2 19 Chorus All creatures upon God depend
3 1 Interludes
3 2 Accompagnato Nabal Ah! Whence this sudden dread
3 3 Air Nabal Oh! Who can tell the terrors?
3 4 Recitative Shepherd How soon the scene is chang'd
3 5 Chorus By slow degrees the wrath of God
3 6 Recitative Asaph A messenger, my Lord
3 7 Air Asaph When beauty sorrow's livery wears
3 8 Recitative David True is your observation
3 9 Air David Lovely beauty
3 10 Recitative Abigail Behold! Thine handmaid
3 11 Air Abigail Come ye similing hours
3 12 Accompagnato Shepherd Guardian angels
3 13 Duet Shepherd, Asaph Thrice happy pair
3 14 Solo and chorus Shepherd Still caressing
3 15 Recitative Abigail in praise, to great Jehovah
3 16 Duet Abigail and David Thoughts sublime
3 17 Chorus O glorious prince


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