Prelude – The Birth of the Lord First Oratorio – The manifestation of the Christ Second Oratorio – Christ the Prophet Third Oratorio – Death and Triumph of the Lord
The third oratorio, Opus 73, is the story of the Passion of Christ. It contains three parts – the Betrayal, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection. Each part is divided into three scenes:
The Betrayal
The Crucifixion
The Resurrection
I. Preparing for Passover
I. Jesus before Caiphas
I. The Resurrection
II. The Last Supper
II. Jesus before Pilate
II. Further Manifestations of the Resurrection
III. Jesus in Gethsemane
III. The Walk to the Cross
III. Jesus reveals himself to his disciples
IV. The Betrayal
IV. Jesus on the Cross
IV. Ascension and Final Chorus
A chorus of 150-200 members functions largely as a plot-enhancing device, replacing the role that had traditionally been filled by recitative. Only in the form of the Chorus of Angels and the Chorus of the Faithful does the chorus play an observational role, commenting on the plot rather than becoming involved in it. Every other role assigned to the chorus becomes a character role. The following table illustrates the two observational roles (Angels and the Faithful) and the eight character roles represented by the chorus. Of these, the Chorus of the Pharisees and the Chorus of the People play perhaps the largest role in the lead-up to the Crucifixion; just as the crowd influenced Pontias Pilate, so does the chorus influence both Caiphas and Pilate in this oratorio. The choral writing resembles the turbae scenes of traditional oratorio, with one major difference: the cries and calls of the chorus lead directly to Christ's conviction.
Name of Chorus
Angels
Faithful
Disciples
Bumbailiffs
Pharisees
Elders
People
Soldiers
Women
Guardians of the Grave
Voice parts
SSAT
SATB I-II
ATBB
TB
TBB
TB
SATB
TB
SSA
TB
Part 1 - The Betrayal
I Preparing for Passover
1
2
II The Lord's Supper
2
2
III Jesus in Gethsemane
2
IV The Treason
2
Part 2 - The Crucifixion
I Jesus before Caiphas
1
4
1
II Jesus before Pilate
4
5
1
III The walk to the cross
1
IV Jesus on the cross
7
Part 3 - The Resurrection
I The Resurrection
1
1
II Other testifyings of the Resurrection
1
III Jesus appeareth unto the disciples
1
3
IV Ascension and Final Chorus
1
Related Research Articles
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