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Music Text

Libretto by Alex Tamkin after S Ansky (E)

Scoring

Major roles: S,M,2A,2T,2Bar,BBar,B
minor roles: S,7T,4Bar,speaker,4mimes; chorus
3.3.4.3-4.4.3.1-timp.perc(2):tam-t/susp.cym/tgl/xyl/SD/tambour/tamb/
BD-2harp-cel-pft-strings

Abbreviations (PDF)

Publisher

Boosey & Hawkes

Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.

Availability

World Premiere
04/10/1951
City Center, New York, New York
Conductor: Joseph Rosenstock
Company: New York City Opera Company

Roles

CHANNON Tenor
LEAH Soprano
THE MESSENGER Baritone
RABBI ASRAEL Tenor
MEYER Bass Baritone
SENDER Bass
CHENNOCH Baritone
FRADE Contralto
ELDERLY WOMAN Contralto
GITTAL Mezzo Soprano
BASSIA Contralto
FIRST BATLON Tenor
SECOND BATLON Bass
THIRD BATLON Tenor
MENASHE Tenor
RABBI MENDEL Tenor
RABBI SCHMELKE mime
A POOR MAN mime
A RICH MAN mime
MICHOEL Bass
FIRST CHASSID Tenor
SECOND CHASSID Tenor
THIRD CHASSID Baritone
A WEDDING GUEST Tenor
THE OLD WOMAN Soprano
Chorus of Beggars
Ballet of Beggars
Seven Students
Chassidim
Minyen (group of 10 people)
Time and Place

time and place not specified

Synopsis

A poor Talmudic student, Channon, and a young girl named Leah are passionately in love.  Unfortunately, Leah’s father, Sender, has plans for her to wed a wealthy man. In order to gain enough riches to win Leah, Channon studies the Kabala and masters the power to call upon the Evil One, but the knowledge kills him. With Channon dead, Leah prepares for her wedding day, knowing that she doesn’t love her father’s arranged bridegroom. She visits the grave of her mother but falls into complete despair at the site of Channon’s grave. As the chosen bridegroom places the veil over her face, the spirit of Channon takes possession of her body to find fulfillment through her. This is the Dybbuk. Distraught, her father takes her to Azrael, a “wonder-working” rabbi, who summons the spirit of Channon's father. Azrael learns that Sender had promised Channon’s father, when they were both young, that their children would be married when they reached maturity. Sender has broken the pledge, and he accepts his punishment. An exorcism releases the Dybbuk from Leah’s body and Azrael orders Sender to prepare the marriage. But Leah, calling upon Channon, dies and is united with her lover.

Moods

Dramatic, Romantic

Subjects
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