OPERA SEARCH
Moses
(1885-91)Libretto by Heinrich Mosenthal (G)
2S,4A,10T,Bar,6B (doubled roles possible); chorus;
2.picc.2.2.2-4.2.3.1-timp.perc-2harps-pft-organ-strings
Abbreviations (PDF)
Anton J. Benjamin / Simrock
Concert Hall, Warsaw
Conductor: Michail Jurowski
Company: soloists / Philharmonic Choir Warsaw / The Polish Sinfonia Iuventus Orchestra
| PHARAOH, King of Egypt | Tenor |
| ASNATH, his daughter | Soprano |
| JOHEBET, an Israelite woman | Contralto |
| MIRIAM, her daughter | Soprano |
| A SLAVE OF ASNATH | Contralto |
| MOSES | Baritone |
| THE OVERSEER | Bass |
| THE CAPTAIN of the warriors | Tenor |
| JOB, an Israelite Old Man | Tenor |
| THE VOICE OF GOD | Tenor |
| JETHRO, Midianite priest | Bass |
| ZIPORA, his daughter | Contralto |
| A MESSENGER | Tenor |
| AARON | Bass |
| KORAH | Tenor |
| FOUR LEVITE PRIESTS | 2 Tenors, 2 Basses |
| KUR | Contralto |
| JOSHUA | Tenor |
| BALAK, King of Moab | Bass |
| BILEAM, The Prophet | Tenor |
| The Pharaoh's and Asnath's retinues, Egyptian warriors, Priests of Osiris, Priestesses of Isis | |
| People of Egypt, Daughters of Midian, Edomites, The Elders of Israel in Moses's retinue, Israelite warriors, People of Israel | |
| Balak's captains, Night spirits, the Heavenly hosts |
Ancient Egypt and Sinai
Moses, a Hebrew foundling raised by Pharaoh's daughter, has to flee from the Egyptian court after having killed an oppressive overseer. In the desert, he hears the voice of God, announcing his people's liberation from slavery and making Moses his messenger. To end the plagues God has sent over Egypt, Pharaoh first allows Moses and the Israelites to leave his country, but then furiously follows them up with his warriors. The Egyptians perish in the Red Sea, whereas Moses and his people safely make their way through the waters. A voice from above declares to the Hebrews the Ten Commandments. But the people suffer from hunger, and when Moses climbs Mount Sinai to receive the tablets of the law, the envious priest Korah stirs up the people to rise against their leader. The situation gets out of control and the Israelites build up, and worship an idol. Finally, the traitors go to hell and the people repent and follow Moses to the promised land over the river Jordan.
Dramatic
Stanislaw Kuflyuk (Moses), Torsten Kerl (Pharaoh/Voice of God), Chen Reiss (Miriam), Irina Papenbrock (Zipporah), Bastian Thomas Kohl (Aaron), Thomasz Kuk (Korah), Aleksander Rewinski (Balaam) and others / Philharmonic Choir Warsaw, Chór Filharmonii Narodowej, Artos Kinderchor, Polska Orkiestra Sinfonia Iuventus / Michail Jurowski, cond.
Warner 0190295583439