Handel Belshazzar (HWV 61, 1745)

Original source: http://opera.stanford.edu/iu/libretti/belshaz.htm.
Cf. http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Belshazzar.

Georg Friedrich Händel

Belshazzar

HWV 61

(1745)

An Oratorio; or Sacred Drama

Words by Charles Jennens

George Frideric Handel HWV 61 Belshazzar

@Wikipedia, @IMSLP, YouTube playlist
Performance and video information
Conductor		René Jacobs
Orchestra		Academie für Alte Musik Berlin
Chorus		Rias-Kammerchor
Mise en scène		Christof Nel
Venue		Festival d'Aix-en-provence 2008
Performance date		2008
Performance duration		2h50m21s 2h35m34s
Video type		360p 240p 16:9
Captions		French
YouTube uploader		FossoDeiLupi Hugues le cornoux
YouTube upload date		2013-06-06 2014-09-11
Dramatis Personæ
Belshazzar, King of Babylon (tenor)		Kenneth Tarver
Nitocris, Mother of Belshazzar (soprano)		Rosemary Joshua
Cyrus, Prince of Persia (alto)		Bejun Mehta (countertenor)
Daniel, a Jewish Prophet (alto)		Kristina Hammarström (mezzo-soprano)
Gobrias, an Assyrian Nobleman, revolted to Cyrus (bass)		Neal Davies
Arioch, a Babylonian Lord (tenor)		?
Messenger (bass)		?
Wise Men
Chorus of Jews		Rias-Kammerchor
Chorus of Babylonians		Rias-Kammerchor
Chorus of Medes & Persians		Rias-Kammerchor
Libretto and links
#	- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	René Jacobs 2008
ACT ONE
1	Overture	1-Jacobs 1/Nitocris_appears-Jacobs
Scene 1
The Palace in Babylon.
2	Accompagnato Nitocris Vain, fluctuating state of human empire! First, small and weak, it scarcely rears its head, Scarce stretching out its helpless infant arms, Implores protection of its neighbour states, Who nurse it to their hurt. Anon, it strives For pow'r and wealth, and spurns at opposition. Arriv'd to full maturity, it grasps At all within its reach, o'erleaps all bounds, Robs, ravages and wastes the frighted world. At length, grown old and swell'd to bulk enormous, The monster in its proper bowels feeds Pride, luxury, corruption, perfidy, Contention, fell diseases of a state, That prey upon her vitals. Of her weakness Some other rising pow'r advantage takes, (Unequal match!) plies with repeated strokes Her infirm aged trunk: she nods, she totters, She falls, alas, never to rise again! The victor state, upon her ruins rais'd, Runs the same shadowy round of fancied greatness, Meets the same certain end.	(2-Jacobs) (2-Jacobs) 2-Jacobs
3	Air Nitocris Thou, God most high, and Thou alone, Unchang'd for ever dost remain: Through boundless space extends thy throne, Through all eternity thy reign. As nothing in thy sight The reptile man appears, Howe'er imagin'd great; Who can impair thy might? In Heav'n or earth, who dares Dispute thy pow'r? — Thy will is fate. Thou, God most high. . . da capo	(3-Jacobs) 3-Jacobs (3/As-Jacobs) 3/As-Jacobs 3/In-Jacobs
4	Recitative Nitocris The fate of Babylon, I fear, is nigh. I have sought to avert it; small my skill, Had not the Hebrew prophet with his counsel Supported my weak steps. See, where he comes: Wisdom and goodness in his front serene Conspicuous sit enthron'd. Enter Daniel. Oh, much belov'd Of God and man! Say, is there aught can save This sinking state? Daniel Great Queen, 'tis not for man To pry into the counsels of omniscience. But you have done your duty, I mine. No more remains but to submit to what God, only wise and just, ordains.
5	Air Daniel Lament not thus, O Queen, in vain! Virtue's part is to resign All things to the will divine, Nor of its just decrees complain. The sins of Babylon urge on her fate; But virtue still this comfort gives, On earth she finds a safe retreat, Or bless'd in Heav'n for ever lives. Lament not thus. . . da capo
Scene 2
The camp of Cyrus before Babylon. A view of the city, with the River Euphrates running through it. Cyrus, Gobrias, Medes and Persians
6	Chorus of Babylonians (upon the walls, deriding Cyrus, as engaged in an impractible undertaking) Behold, by Persia's hero made In ample form, the strong blockade! How broad the ditch, how deep it falls! What lofty tow'rs o'erlook the walls! Hark, Cyrus! Twenty times the sun Round the great year his course shall run: If there so long thy army stay, Not yet to dogs and birds a prey, No succour from without arrive, Within remain no means to live, We then may think it time to treat, And Babylon capitulate. A tedious time! To make it short, Thy wise attempt will find us sport.	(6-Jacobs) 6-Jacobs
7	Recitative Gobrias Well may they laugh, from meagre famine safe, In plenteous stores for more than twenty years; From all assault secure in gates of brass, And walls stupendous; in Euphrates' depth Yet more secure. Cyrus 'Tis that security Shall aid me to their ruin. I tell thee, Gobrias, I will revenge thy wrongs upon the head Of this inhuman king.	(7-Jacobs) 7-Jacobs
8	Accompagnato Gobrias Oh, memory! Still bitter to my soul! Methinks I see My son, the best, the loveliest of mankind, Whose filial love and duty above all sons Made me above all other fathers happy, I see him breathless at the tyrant's feet, The victim of his envy.	8-Jacobs
9	Air Gobrias Oppress'd with never-ceasing grief, I drag a painful, weary life; Of all that made life sweet bereft, No hope, but in revenge, is left.	(9-Jacobs) 9-Jacobs 9/Of-Jacobs
10	Air Cyrus Dry those unavailing tears, Haste your just revenge to speed; I'll disperse your gloomy fears, Dawning hope shall soon succeed.	10-Jacobs
11	Recitative Cyrus Be comforted: safe though the tyrant seem Within those walls, I have a stratagem, Inspir'd by Heav'n (dreams oft descend from Heav'n) Shall baffle all his strength; so strong my mind Th'impression bears, I cannot think it less.	11-Jacobs
12	Accompagnato Cyrus Methought, as on the bank of deep Euphrates I stood, revolving in my anxious mind Our arduous enterprise, a voice divine, In thunder utter'd, to the bottom seem'd To pierce the river's depth. The lofty tow'rs Of yon proud city trembling bow'd their heads, As they would kiss the ground. "Thou deep," it said, "Be dry". No more; but instant at the word, The stream forsook its bank, and in a moment Left bare his oozy bed. Amaz'd I stood: Horror, till then unknown, uprais'd my hair, And froze my falt'ring tongue. The voice renew'd: "Cyrus, go on, and conquer: 'tis I that rais'd thee, I will direct thy way. Build thou my city, And without ransom set my captives free."	12-Jacobs
13	Recitative Cyrus Now tell me, Gobrias, does not this Euphrates Flow through the midst of Babylon? Gobrias It does. Cyrus And I have heard you say, that on the west A monstrous lake, on ev'ry side extended, Four hundred furlongs, while the banks were made, Receiv'd th'exhausted river? Gobrias 'Tis most true. Cyrus Might we not then By the same means now drain Euphrates dry, And through its channel march into the city? Gobrias Suppose this done: yet still the brazen gates, Which from the city to the river lead, Will bar our passage, always shut by night, When we must make th'attempt. Could we suppose Those gates unshut, we might indeed ascend With ease into the city. Cyrus Said you not This is the feast to Sesach consecrate? And that the Babylonians spend the night In drunken revels, and in loose disorder? Gobrias They do; and 'tis religion to be drunk On this occasion.	13-Jacobs
14	Air Gobrias Behold the monstrous human beast Wallowing in excessive feast! No more his Maker's image found: But, self-degraded to a swine, He fixes grov'ling on the ground His portion of the breath Divine. Behold the monstrous human beast Behold. . . da capo	(14-Jacobs) 14-Jacobs 14/No-Jacobs
15	Recitative Cyrus Can you then think it strange, if drown'd in wine, And from above infatuate, they neglect The means of their own safety?	15-Jacobs
16	Air Cyrus Great God, who, yet but darkly known, Thus far hast deign'd my arms to bring; Support me still, while I pull down Assyria's proud, injurious king. So shall this hand thy altars raise, This tongue for ever sing thy praise; And all thy will, when clearly shown, By thy glad servant shall be done.	[In the Jacobs performance, this is performed at the beginning of Act II.]
17	Recitative Cyrus My friends, be confident, and boldly enter Upon this high exploit. No little cause We have to hope success; since not unjustly We have attack'd, but being first attack'd, We have pursu'd th'aggressor. Add to this, That I proceed in nothing with neglect Of pow'r divine: whate'er I undertake, I still begin with God, and gain His favour With sacrifice and pray'r.	17-Jacobs
18	Chorus All empires upon God depend; Begun by his command, at his command they end. Look up to him in all your ways, Begin with pray'r and end with praise.	18-Jacobs
Scene 3
Daniel's house. Daniel, with the Prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah open before him. Other Jews.
19	Air Daniel O sacred oracles of truth, O living spring of purest joy! By day be ever in my mouth, And all my nightly thoughts employ. Whoe'er withhold attention due, Neglect themselves, despising you. O sacred oracles. . . da capo	(19-Jacobs) 19-Jacobs (19/Whoeer-Jacobs) 19/Whoeer-Jacobs
20	Accompagnato Daniel Rejoice, my countrymen! The time draws near, The long-expected time herein foretold: "Seek now the Lord your God with all your heart, And you shall surely find him. He shall turn Your long captivity: he shall gather you From all the nations whither you are driven, And to your native land in peace restore you." (after Jeremiah 29: 13-14) For long ago, Whole ages ere this Cyrus yet was born Or thought of, great Jehovah, by His Prophet, In words of comfort to his captive people Foretold, and call'd by name the wond'rous man.	20-Jacobs 20/For-Jacobs
21	Air Daniel "Thus saith the Lord to Cyrus, his anointed, Whose right hand I have holden, To subdue nations before him: I will go before thee, To loose the strong-knit loins of mighty kings, Make straight the crooked places, Break in pieces the gates of solid brass, And cut in sunder the bars of iron, For my servant's sake, Israel my chosen. Though thou hast not known me, I have surnam'd thee: I have girded thee: That from the rising to the setting sun The nations may confess, I am the Lord, There is none else, there is no God besides me. Thou shalt perform my pleasure, To Jerusalem, saying, Thou shalt be built; And to the Temple, Thy raz'd foundation shall again be laid." (after Isaiah 45: 1-6; 44: 28)	(21-Jacobs) 21-Jacobs
22	Chorus Sing, O ye Heav'ns, For the Lord hath done it! Earth, from thy centre shout! Break forth, ye mountains, into songs of joy, O forest, and each tree therein, For the Lord hath done it! Jehovah hath redeemed Jacob, And glorified himself in Israel. Hallelujah! Amen, Hallelujah!	(22-Jacobs) 22-Jacobs 22/Jehovah-Jacobs 22/Hallelujah-Jacobs
Scene 4
The Palace. Belshazzar, Nitocris, Babylonians and Jews.
23	Air Belshazzar Let festal joy triumphant reign, Glad ev'ry heart, in ev'ry face appear! Free flow the wine, nor flow in vain; Far fly corroding care. Each hand the chime melodious raise, Each voice exult in Sesach's praise; Let order vanish! Liberty alone, Unbounded liberty the night shall crown. Let festal joy. . . da capo	(23-Jacobs) 23-Jacobs (23/Each-Jacobs) 23/Each-Jacobs
24	Recitative Belshazzar For you my friends, the nobles of my court, I have prepar'd a feast magnificent, Worthy of you and me. Let all my wives and concubines attend. Our royal mother — Nitocris I must prevent thee, son. Who can endure Th'unbridled license of this festival, Miscall'd by the licentious, liberty? Where nought prevails but riotous excess, The noisy idiot laugh, the jest obscene, The scurril taunt, and drunken midnight brawl. My soul starts back at such brutality, Asserting reason's empire.	24-Jacobs
25	Air Nitocris The leafy honours of the field, Before the furious driving wind, In giddy dissipation fly. To noise and folly forc'd to yield, The fair ideas quit the mind, And lost in wild confusion lie. The leafy honours. . . da capo	(25-Jacobs) 25-Jacobs (25/To-Jacobs) 25/To-Jacobs
26	Recitative Belshazzar It is the custom, I may say, the law, By long prescription fix'd. (looking round and spying the Jews) These captive Jews! What do they here? They low'r upon our joys, And envy liberty they cannot taste. Yet something your perverse and wayward nation Shall to our mirth contribute. Bring those vessels, Those costly vessels my victorious grandsire Took from the Temple of Jerusalem, And in the temple of Bel laid up, But us'd them not: — 'tis fit they should be us'd. And let their God, whose pow'r was found too weak To save his people, serve the conquerors Of him and them. We'll revel in his cups: Their rich materials and choice workmanship Shall well augment the splendor of our feast. And as we drink, we'll praise our country gods, To whom we owe the prize. Nitocris Oh, sacrilege, Unheard of profanation!	26-Jacobs
27	Chorus of Jews Recall, O king, thy rash command! Nor prostitute with impious hand To uses vile the holy things Of great Jehovah, king of kings. Thy grandsire trembled at his name, And doom'd to death who durst blaspheme; For he, like us, his pow'r had tried, Confess'd him just in all his ways, Confess'd him able to abase The sons of men that walk in pride.	27-Jacobs 27/Thy-Jacobs (27/Confessd-Jacobs) 27/Confessd-Jacobs
28	Recitative Nitocris They tell you true; nor can you be to learn (Though ease and pleasure have engross'd you all) Things done in public view. I'll not repeat The seven-fold heated furnace, by that God whom you defy, made to his faithful servants A walk of recreation; nor the king, In height of all his pride, drove from his throne, And from the first of men, in thought a god, Reduc'd to brutal rank: all this, and more, Thou knows't as well as I, and shoulds't consider. Belshazzar Away! Is then my mother convert grown To Jewish superstition? Apostate queen! These idle tales might well become the dotage Of palsied eld, but not a queen like you, In prime of life, for wisdon far renown'd. On to the feast! I waste my time too long In frivolous dispute, time, due of right To pleasure and the gods.	28-Jacobs
29	Duet Nitocris O dearer than my life, forbear! Profane not, O my son, With impious rites Jehovah's Name. Remember what His arm has done, The earth contains not half his fame: Remember, and his vengeance fear! Belshazzar O queen, this hateful theme forbear! Join not against your son With captive slaves, your country's foes. Remember what our gods have done To those who durst their pow'r oppose. Remember, and their vengeance fear. Nitocris Alas! Then must I see my son Headlong to sure destruction run? Belshazzar Not to destruction but delight I fly, and all once more invite To reign with me this happy night. Nitocris O dearer than my life. . . da capo Exeunt severally.	(29-Jacobs) 29-Jacobs 29/Nitocris/Alas-Jacobs
30	Chorus of Jews By slow degress the wrath of God to its meridian height ascends; There mercy long the dreadful bolt suspends, Ere it offending man annoy; Long patient for repentance waits, reluctant to destroy. At length the wretch, obdurate grown, Infatuate, makes The ruin all his own; And ev'ry step he takes, On his devoted head Precipitates the thunder down.	30-Jacobs 30/Long-Jacobs 30/reluctant?-Jacobs 30/At-Jacobs 30/And-ev'ry-Jacobs
End of Act I. Inter-act commentary, in French, by cute and enthusiastic Mademoiselle Emmanuelle GAUME, with an interview with conductor Rene Jacobs and previews and discussion of the remainder of the work. (The French really know how to make these broadcasts (heh!) interesting.)		End-Act-I-Jacobs
ACT TWO
Scene 1
Without the city, the river almost empty. Cyrus and Chorus of Persians and Medes.
16	Air Cyrus [#16 in the Stanford libretto appears to be performed here in the Jacobs performance!] Great God, who, yet but darkly known, Thus far hast deign'd my arms to bring; Support me still, while I pull down Assyria's proud, injurious king. So shall this hand thy altars raise, This tongue for ever sing thy praise; And all thy will, when clearly shown, By thy glad servant shall be done.	Act-II-applause-Jacobs (16-Jacobs) 16-Jacobs
31	Chorus of Persians and Medes See, from his post Euphrates flies, The stream withdraws his guardian wave, Fenceless the queen of city lies! Semi-Chorus Why, faithless river, dost thou leave Thy charge to hostile arms a prey, Expose the lives thou ought'st to save, Prepare the fierce invader's way, And, like false man, thy trust betray? Semi-Chorus Euphrates hath his task fulfill'd, But to divine decree must yield. While Babel queen of cities reign'd, The flood her guardian was ordain'd; Now to superior pow'r gives place, And but the doom of Heav'n obeys. Full Chorus Of things on earth, proud man must own, Falsehood is found in man alone.	(31-Jacobs) 31-Jacobs 31/Why-Jacobs 31/Euphrates-Jacobs 31/Of-Jacobs
32	Recitative Cyrus You see, my friends, a path into the city Lies open. Fearless let us enter, knowing That those we are to cope with are the same We have already conquer'd, strengthen'd then With aid of great and numerous allies, Wakeful and sober, rank'd in just array; Now all asleep, or drunk, at best disorder'd — A helpless state! Still worse, when they shall hear We are within their walls.	32-Jacobs
33	Air Cyrus Amaz'd to find the foe so near, When sleep and wine their senses drown, All hearts shall faint, and melt with fear, All hands unnerv'd fall feebly down. Useless the hero's valour lies, Useless the counsel of the wise. Amaz'd to find. . . da capo	(33-Jacobs) 33-Jacobs (33/Useless-Jacobs) 33/Useless-Jacobs
34	Chorus of Persians and Medes To arms, to arms, no more delay! God and Cyrus lead the way.	(34-Jacobs) 34-Jacobs
Scene 2
A banquet-room, adorned with the images of the Babylonian gods. Belshazzar, his wives, concubines, and lords, drinking out of the Jewish temple-vessels, and singing the praises of their gods.
35	Chorus of Babylonians Ye tutelar gods of our empire, look down, And see what rich trophies your victory crown. Let our bounteous gifts, which our gratitude raise, Wine, gold, merry notes, pay our tributes of praise. Sesach, this night is chiefly thine, Kind donor of the sparkling wine!	(35-Jacobs) 35-Jacobs (35/Sesach-Jacobs) 35/Sesach-Jacobs
36	Air Belshazzar Let the deep bowl thy praise confess, Thy gifts the gracious giver bless! Thy gifts, of all the gods bestow, Improve by use, and sweeter grow. Another bowl! 'Tis gen'rous wine, Exalts the human to divine.	(36-Jacobs) 36-Jacobs
37	Accompagnato Belshazzar Where is the God of Judah's boasted pow'r? Let him reclaim his lost magnificence, Assert his rights, prov'd ours by long possession, And vindicate his injur'd honour! — Ah! As he is going to drink, a hand appears writing upon the wall over against him: he sees it, turns pale with fear, drops the bowl of wine, falls back in his seat, trembling from head to foot, and his knees knocking against each other. Babylonians Help, help the king! He faints, he dies! What envious demon blasts our joys, And into sorrow turns? Look up, O king! Speak, cheer thy friends! Say, why our mirth thus sudden ends, And the gay circle mourns? Belshazzar Behold! See there! Pointing to the hand upon the wall, which, while they gaze at it with astonishment, finishes the writing, and vanishes. Babylonians Oh, dire portentous sight! But see, 'tis gone, And leaves behind it types unknown, Perhaps some stern decree of fate, Big with the ruin of our state! What God, or godlike man, can tell The sense of this mysterious spell?	37/Belshazzar/Where-Jacobs 37/Hand-Jacobs 37/Babylonians/Help-Jacobs 37/Belshazzar/Behold-Jacobs 37/Babylonians/Oh-Jacobs
38	Recitative Belshazzar Call all my Wise Men, Sorcerers, Chaldeans, Astrologers, Magicians, Soothsayers: They can perhaps unfold the mystic words, Dispel our doubts, and ease us of our fears.	38-Jacobs
39	Symphony	39-Jacobs
Enter Wise Men of Babylon.
40	Recitative Belshazzar Ye sages, welcome always to your king, Most welcome now, since needed most! Oh, minister To my sick mind the med'cine of your art. Whoe'er shall read this writing and interpret, A splendid purple robe behind him flows, A chain of gold his honour'd neck shall grace, And in the kingdom he shall rule the third. Wise Men Alas, too hard a task the king imposes, To read the characters we never learn'd!	40-Jacobs 40/Wise_men-Jacobs
41	Chorus of Babylonians Oh, misery! Oh terror, hopeless grief! Nor God nor man affords relief! Who can this mystery unveil, When all our wise diviners fail?	41-Jacobs 41/Who-Jacobs
Enter Nitocris.
42	Recitative Nitocris O king, live for ever! Let not thy heart its wonted courage lose, Nor let thy countenance be chang'd with fear, Though all thy wise men fail thee, in the kingdom There is a man, among the Jewish captives, In whom the Holy Spirit of God resides, And in thy grandsire Nebuchadnezzar's day Wisdom, like that of God, was found in him, By which he could interpret mystic dreams, Explain hard sentences, dissolve all doubts: Daniel his native name, but by the king Nam'd Belteshazzar. Let him now be call'd, He'll read the writing, and interpret it. Enter Daniel. Belshazzar Art thou that Daniel of the Jewish captives? I have heard of thee. That thou canst find interpretations deep, And dissolve knotty doubts. If thou canst read This writing, and explain, a purple robe Adorns thy body, a gold chain thy neck, And in the kingdom thou shalt rule the third.	42-Jacobs 42/Belshazzar/Art-Jacobs
43	Air Daniel No, to thyself thy trifles be, Or takes thy rich rewards who will! Such glitt'ring trash affects not me, Intent on greater matters still.	(43-Jacobs) (43-Jacobs) 43-Jacobs
44	Accompagnato Daniel Yet, to obey His dread command, Who vindicates His honour now, I'll read this oracle, and thou, But to thy cost, shalt understand. Thou, O king, Hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of Heav'n, Whose vessels they have brought before thee, And thou, thy lords, thy wives, and concubines, Have drunk wine in them! Thou hast prais'd the gods Of gold and silver, brass, iron, wood and stone, Which neither see, nor hear, nor aught perceive! But Him, the God whose hands upholds thy life, And in whose high dispose are all thy ways, Thou hast not glorified, but hast blasphem'd. From Him the hand was sent, by His appointment These words were written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN, which I thus interpret. MENE: the God, whom thou hast dishonour'd, The days hath number'd of thy reign, and finish'd it. TEKEL: thou in the balances art weigh'd, And art found wanting. PERES: thy kingdom is divided, And to the Medes and Persians given.	44-Jacobs 44/Thou_O_king-Jacobs 44/Thou_hast-Jacobs 44/But-Jacobs 44/From-Jacobs 44/Mene-Jacobs 44/Mene-Jacobs 44/Tekel-Jacobs 44/Peres-Jacobs
45	Recitative Nitocris Oh, sentence too severe, and yet too sure, Unless repentance may reverse the doom!	45-Jacobs
46	Air Nitocris Regard, O son, my flowing tears, Proofs of maternal love! Regard thyself; to cure thy fears, Regard the God above. Repentance sure will mercy find, But wrath pursues th'obdurate mind. Regard, O son. . . da capo Exit.	(46-Jacobs) 46-Jacobs (46/Repentance-Jacobs) 46/Repentance-Jacobs (46/Regard-Jacobs) 46/Regard-Jacobs
Scene 3
Cyrus, Gobrias and Chorus of Persians and Medes, within the City.
47	Air Cyrus O God of truth, O faithful guide, Well hast thou kept thy word! Deep waves at my approach subside, The brazen portals open wide, Glad to receive their lord. The hostile nations scatter'd fly, Nor dare my presence stay. Where'er I go, sure victory Attends, for God is always nigh, And He prepares my way.	(47-Jacobs) 47-Jacobs (47/Deep-Jacobs) 47/Deep-Jacobs (47/The_hostile)-Jacobs 47/The_hostile-Jacobs 47/Whereer-Jacobs 47/And_he_prepares-Jacobs
48	Recitative Cyrus You, Gobrias, lead directly to the palace, For you best know the way. This revelling herd Cannot oppose our passage; those who would, Fall easy victims. For the rest, they fly, Or take us for their friends, and reeling shout For joy. We'll be their friends, and join the shout. I seek no enemy except the tyrant; When he is slain, our task is at an end. My worthy friends, let us not stain our swords With needless slaughter! I begin already To count this people mine, myself their shepherd, Whose office is to feed and to protect them, Not to destroy.	48-Jacobs
49	Chorus O glorious prince, thrice happy they Born to enjoy thy future sway! To all like thee were sceptres giv'n, Kings were like gods, and earth like Heav'n. Subjection free, unforc'd, would prove Obedience is the child of love; The jars of nation soon would cease, Sweet liberty, beatific peace Would stretch their reign from shore to shore, And war and slav'ry be no more.	(49-Jacobs) 49-Jacobs (49/To-Jacobs) 49/To-Jacobs 49/Subjection-Jacobs 49/The_jars-Jacobs 49/Sweet_liberty-Jacobs (49/Would-Jacobs) 49/Would-Jacobs
ACT THREE
Scene 1
The Palace. Nitocris, Daniel, Jews.
50	Air Nitocris Alternate hopes and fears distract my mind, My weary soul no rest can find. My busy fancy now presents A gracious scene: my son repents And God recalls his doom. Now to false shame he quits his fears, False courage takes, and madly dares His impious feast resume. Then arms and dying groans resound, And streams of blood gush out around. Alternate hopes and fears distract my mind, My weary soul no rest can find.	(49/Nitocris_enters-Jacobs) (50-Jacobs) 50-Jacobs 50/My_busy-Jacobs (50/Now-Jacobs) 50/Now-Jacobs (50/Then-Jacobs) 50/Then-Jacobs (50/Alternate-Jacobs) 50/Alternate-Jacobs
51	Recitative Nitocris Fain would I hope. It cannot surely be. Daniel Oh, that it could not! But if I may judge The future by the past, it were vain flatt'ry To bid you hope for his conversion.	51-Jacobs
52	Air Daniel Can the black AEthiop change his skin, His native spots the leopard lose? Then may the heart obdur'd in sin Grow soft, repent, and virtue choose! Threats or advice but move disdain, And signs and wonders glare in vain. Can the black. . . da capo	(52-Jacobs) 52-Jacobs 52/Then-Jacobs (52/Threats-Jacobs) 52/Threats-Jacobs
Enter Arioch.
53	Recitative Nitocris My hopes revive, here Arioch comes! By this 'Tis plain the revels are broke up. Say, Arioch, Where is the king? Arioch When you had left the room, A while deep silence reign'd; the king sat pensive, As doubting whether to break up the banquet, Or to continue. At length some parasites, Those insects vile that still infest a court, Began to minister false comfort to him. With this, again They sat them down to drink. The bowl went round, The king forgot his fears, the wine inspir'd him, And he blasphem'd again. Not long we sat, When from without the gates a noise tumultuous Was heard, loud shouts and cries, and clashing arms. The king deputed some to learn the cause. I gladly seiz'd the opportunity, And fled a place to swift destruction doom'd. Enter a Messenger. Messenger All's lost, the fate of Babylon is come! Cyrus is here, ev'n within the palace! Nitocris Cyrus, impossible! Messenger It is too true; A tumult heard without, the gates unbarr'd, Disclos'd a dreadful scene: the guards overpow'rd By numbers far superior, fell before them With faint resistance. The victorious foe No sooner saw the gates set open wide, But rush'd at once, and easy entrance gain'd.	53/Cyrus_enters-Jacobs 53-Jacobs
54	Chorus of Jews Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth! How is Sesach taken, And how is the praise of the whole earth surpris'd! Thy counsel stands, O Lord, And thou dost all thy pleasure!	54-Jacobs 54/And_how-Jacobs 54/Thy_counsel-Jacobs 54/And_thou-Jacobs
Scene 2
Belshazzar, his lords, and other Babylonians, with their swords drawn.
55	Air Belshazzar I thank thee, Sesach! Thy sweet pow'r Does to myself myself restore. Thy plenteous heart-inspiring juice All my courage lost renews. I blush to think I shadows fear'd. Cyrus, come on, I'm now prepar'd! Exeunt to meet Cyrus.	(55/Belshazzar_enters-Jacobs) (55-Jacobs) 55-Jacobs 55/Thy-Jacobs
56	A Martial Symphony (during which a battle is supposed, in which Belshazzar and his attendants are slain)	56-Jacobs
Scene 3
Cyrus, Gobrias and Chorus.
57	Air Gobrias To pow'r immortal my first thanks are due; My next, great Cyrus, let me pay to you, Whose arm this impious king laid low, The bitter source of all my woe. Tears, sure, will all my life employ, E'en now I weep, but weep for joy.	(57-Jacobs) 57-Jacobs 57/Tears-Jacobs
58	Recitative Cyrus Be it thy care, good Gobrias, to find out The queen, and that great Jew, of whom thou tolds't me. Guard them in safety hither; if harm befall them I shall repent, and curse my victory. Exit Gobrias.	58-Jacobs
59	Air Cyrus Destructive war, thy limits know; Here, tyrant death, thy terrors end. To tyrants only I'm a foe, To virtue and her friends, a friend. Destructive war. . . da capo	(59-Jacobs) 59-Jacobs (59/To-Jacobs) 59/To-Jacobs
Re-enter Gobrias, with Nitocris, Daniel, and Jews.
60	Duet Nitocris Great victor, at your feet I bow, No more a queen, your vassal now! My people spare! Forgive my fears, I mourn a son, indulge my tears, Resistless nature bids them flow. Cyrus Rise, virtuous queen, compose your mind, Give fear and sorrow to the wind. Safe are your people if they will; Be still a queen, a mother still, A son in Cyrus you shall find.	(60-Jacobs) 60/Nitocris-Jacobs 60/Cyris-Jacobs
61	Recitative Cyrus (to Daniel) Say, venerable prophet, is there aught In Cyrus' pow'r by which he can oblige Thee, or thy people? Daniel O victorious prince, The God of Israel, Lord of Heav'n and earth, Long ere thy birth, foretold thee by thy name, And shew'd thy conquests! 'Tis to Him thou ow'st, To Him thou must ascribe them. Read those lines, The great prediction which thou hast already In part accomplish'd, and, we trust, will soon Fulfil the rest.	61-Jacobs
62	Soli & Chorus Tell it out among the heathen, That the Lord is King.	62-Jacobs
63	Accompagnato Cyrus Yes, I will rebuild thy city, God of Israel! I will release thy captives, not for price, Not for reward, but to perform thy pleasure. Thus prostrate I confess, Thou art the Lord, There is none else, there is no God beside Thee. Thou condescendest to call me thy shepherd, And I will feed thy flock. To me Thou hast giv'n The kingdoms of the earth; and shall I suffer Thy kingdom to lie waste, Thy chosen people In exile and captivity to wander? Far be from Cyrus such ingratitude! Hear, holy people! Hear, elect of God! The God of Israel (he alone is God) Hath charg'd me to rebuild his house and city, And let his exil'd captive people go. With transport I obey! Be free, ye captives, And to your native land in peace return. Thou, O Jerusalem, shalt be rebuilt; O Temple, thy foundation shall be laid. No thanks to me; to God return your thanks, As I do mine! We all are to his goodness Indebted deep, to Him be all the praise.	63-Jacobs
64	Soli & Chorus Cyrus, Daniel I will magnify Thee, O God my king! And I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Daniel, Nitocris My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord, And let all flesh give thanks Unto His holy name for ever and ever. Chorus Amen. This is also the fifth Chandos anthem.	(64-Jacobs) 64/Cyrus/I-Jacobs 64/Daniel/I-Jacobs 64/??/I-Jacobs 64/??/My_mouth-Jacobs 64/Amen-Jacobs
Closing material		Applause-Jacobs Curtain_call-Jacobs Commentary-Jacobs Closing_credits-Jacobs

Initially input by Pierre Degott (degott@zeus.univ-metz.fr);
HTML conversion by Potharn Imre (pubi@altavista.net)

An interesting comparison is
Belshazzar’s Feast (@Wikipedia)
by the twentieth-century British composer Sir William Walton,
which focuses on the banquet scene and
Daniel’s interpretation of the writing on the wall.
Available performances include
the 2012 Proms performance with (41m) or without (37m) the BBC commentary, and
a performance by the Monteverdi Choir Würzburg, 39m.

---

In Christopher Hogwood’s excellent biography of Handel
he provides several letters both from and to Handel which discuss Belshazzar.
Here is Hogwood’s discussion:

---

[On 9 June 1744 Handel wrote to his librettist Charles Jennens:]

...
Now should I be extremely glad
to receive the first Act, or what is ready,
of the new Oratorio with which you intend to favour me,
that I might employ all my attention and time,
in order to answer in some measure
the great Obligation I lay under.
this new favour will great increase my obligations.

The ‘New Oratorio’ was Belshazzar,
and Handel’s enthusiasm for the project continues
in a rare sequence of letters from this summer.
Immediately on his return from a country trip,
and on the very day he started work on Hercules (19 July),
he wrote anxiously about the length of the piece
(and humbly about Messiah):

At my arrival in London, which was yesterday,
I immediately perused the Act of the Oratorio
with which you favour’d me,
and, the little time only I had it,
gives me great Pleasure.
Your reasons for the Lenght of the first act
are intirely Satisfactory to me,
and it likewise my Opinion to have the following Acts short.
I shall be very glad and much obliged to you,
if you will soon involve me with the remaining Acts.
Be pleased to point out these passages in te Messiah
which You think require altering ...

A month later (21 August), having just completed Hercules,
he wrote again, pressing for more material:

The Second Act of the Oratorio I have received Safe,
and own my self highly obliged to You for it.
I am greatly pleased with it,
and shall use my best endeavours to do it Justice.
I can only Say that I impatiently wait for the third Act ...

So high was his excitement that he began work on Belshazzar
before the words for Act III arrived,
and in three weeks almost ran out of text.
His next letter (13 September) anxiously requests the remaining act,
and clearly reveals
the composer’s concern for overall planning,
his delight in ‘particular Ideas’ (i.e., specific imagery) and
the opportunity for employing the chorus effectively –
and above all, at the age of nearly sixty, his infectious enthusiasm:

Your most excellent Oratorio
has given me great Delight in setting it to Musick
and still engages me warmly.
It is indeed a Noble Piece, very grand and uncommon,
it has furnished me with Expressions,
and has given me Opportunity to some very particular Ideas,
besides so many great Chorus.
I intreat you heartily to favour me soon with the Last Act,
which I expect with anxiety,
that I may regulate my Self the better as the Lenght of it.
I profess my Self highly obliged to you, for so generous a Present ...

When Act III finally arrived,
Handel was faced with one of Jennens’s faults:
verbosity.
Knowing that the librettist would be mortified
if too many of his words remained unset,
he proposed a drastic tightening up of the ceremonial choruses:

I received the 3^d Act,
with a great deal of pleasure, as you can imagine,
and you may believe that I think it a very fine and sublime Oratorio,
only it is realy too long,
if I should extend the Musick,
it would last 4 Hours and more.
I retrench’d already a great deal of the Musick,
that I might preserve the Poetry as much as I could,
yet still it may be shortned.
The Anthems come in very proprely, but would not the Words
(tell it out among the Heathen that the Lord is King.)
[be] sufficient for one Chorus?
Te Anthem
(I will magnify thee O God my King, and I will praise thy name for ever and ever, vers).
the Lord preserveth all them that love him,
but scattreth abroad all the ungodly.
(vers and Chorus) my mouth shall speak the Praise of the Lord
and let all flesh give thanks unto His holy name for ever and ever Amen)
concludes well the Oratorio.
I hope you will make a Visit to London next Winter.
I have a good Set of Singers.
S^r Francesina performs Nitocris,
Miss Robinson, Cyrus,
Mrs. Cibber, Daniel,
Mr Beard (who is recovered) Belshazzar,
Mr Reinhold, Gobrias,
and a good Number of Choir Singers for the Chorus’s.
I propose 24 Nights to perform this Season on [Sa]turdays
but in Lent on Wednesday’s or fryday’s.
I shall open Ye 3^d of Novemb^r with [Debo]rah.

Jennens’s text would not in any case have been lost to his public,
since it was normal to print the complete text in word-books
and simply mark the cut passages with inverted commas.

Against the enthusiasm and reasonableness of Handel’s requests
can be set the casual arrogance which Jennens reveals
in a letter to [Edward] Holdsworth written on 26 September,
shortly after the words of Act III were completed:

I have been prevaild with once more
to expose my self to the Criticks,
to oblige the Man who made me but a Scurvy return for former obligations;
the truth is,
I had a farther view in it;
but if he does not mend his manners
I am resolv’d to have no more to do with him.
But the reason of my mentioning this
was to excuse my delay of answering your letter dated almost 4 months ago.
For my Muse is such a Jade, & Handel hurry’d her so,
that I could not find time for writing letters.
Our Operas are at an end,
& He has taken the Opera House to perform Oratorios in this next Season.
In your Letter of May 16 you suppose him in Ireland,
where indeed he met with encouragement,
but has had so much better since in England,
that I believe he has had no inclination yet to go into Ireland again.

But his libretto was skillfully assembled,
gaps in characterization (that of Nitocris, for example) ingeniously filled,
the turning point of the story approached and relinquished
with true dramatic skill.
Both word-book and score contain ‘stage directions,’
even though neither author nor composer
was anticipating a stage production with action;
such explanations were as great a help to the audience in appreciating the drama
as to the composer in creating it.