Andrea Gabrieli's Oedipus Rex - Programme - Chamber Choir Ireland

CHAMBE∏ CHOI∏ I∏ELAND AND∏EA GAB∏IELI’S

OEDIPUS∏EX P∏ESENTS

Conductor Paul Hillier 10 October 2021 All Hallows Chapel, Drumcondra —1—

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Conductor Paul Hillier Sunday 10th October 2021 All Hallows Chapel, Drumcondra

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Edipo Tiranno Andrea Gabrieli (Italy, 1533-1585) Narrators: Leanne Fitzgerald and Jeffrey Ledwidge

I Choro Primo Santo Oracol di Giove, Che si soave spiri, Con che annuncio venisti Da gli eccelsi di Delfo aurati Tempi A la nobile Thebe?

Holy Oracle of Jove, who blows so gently, with what news have you come from the high golden temples of Delphi to Noble Thebes?

My mind trembles within me Trema la mente in me stupida, and is completely dismayed in fear and Et tutta per timor sbigottita: Dal sollecitas tema Scuoter il cor mi sento. amazement.

I feel my heart jolt with sudden fear.

Holy and powerful Lord God of Delos, Sacro e possente Dio Signor di Delo, Che risanando, sgombri I perigliosi morbi, who cures and drives off perilous diseases, te col cor tutto riverente honoro. you I honour reverently with my whole heart.

Quali son hor le tue risposte? et quali Ne l’avenir saranno?

What, now, are your answers?

And what will the future bring?

Dinnelo hor tu, fama immortal; soave Frutto d’amica, et pretiosa spene:

Tell me now, eternal fame; sweet lover’s fruit and precious hope:

O del gran Giove nata Gloriosa Minerva, Te prima invoco, et l’alma A te suora Diana Protettrice del mondo; A cui debiti honor si rendon dove e’il suo celebre tempio ne la piazza di Thebe;

O Glorious Minerva, born of Great Jove, you first I invoke, and your sister Diana, protectress of the Natural World, to whom the honour due is offered in your famous temple in the piazza of Thebes;

E te Febo ancor chiamo; che si lontan le tue saette avventi.

And you, Apollo, I call again; who lets fly arrows so far.

Siate voi tre propitii a’voti miei, l’aspre morti crudele Quinci lungi scacciando.

May you three be well disposed to my offerings, chasing away the harsh cruel deaths far hence.

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Poiche per voi non meno Fur le fiamme nocive, et peregrine, ond’era la Città misera involta, Con horribile stragge, In lei sopite, et spente.

Thanks to you, no sooner were the noxious flames in which this wretched city was enveloped, than they were extinguished.

Hor qui benigni ancor celesti Numi Spirate in favor nostro, Voi che‘l tutto scorgete, Che dovunque io mi volgo, da cruda schiera, d’infiniti mali Son’agitato, et spinto.

You good heavenly gods blow again now in our favour, you who see all.

Everywhere I turn, I am shaken and driven by the brutal mob, by endless evils.

Giace dal morbo afflitto il popol tutto; Nè sò dond’io m’impetri O soccorso, ò consiglio.

All the people lie afflicted with disease; nor do I know whence I may beg help or advice.

Già de li frutti suoi ricca, et cortese La terra hor nulla rende: Ne resister possendo, Cadon da morte oppresse Le femine dolenti Ne le angoscie del parto.

Formerly rich in its fruits, and gracious, the earth now offers nothing: Unable to resist, the suffering women fall oppressed by death in the anguish of childbirth.

Come spessa d’augei veloce torma Fende l’aria volando, Tal da li corpi un sopra l’altro estinti, In largo, et folto stuolo Piu che’l foco leggiere Fuggon l’alma di Stige a i tristi liti.

As a swift dense flock of birds cleaves the air in flight, so, from deceased bodies, on top of each other in a wide and numerous crowd, more lightly than the fire, flee the Stygian spirits to sad strife.

Ma la misera turba et infinita Che di fuor la Citade: Da cruda morte è giunta, Per le campagne sparsa Priva de l’altrui pianto, Sopra il nuda terren giace insepolta.

But the infinite sad crowd outside the city, is joined in cruel death, spread through the countryside, deprived of the tears of others, lying unburied on the barren earth.

Et le tenere spose, Et le madri canute, L’una de l’altra à canto Piangon supplici, et meste i loro mali

And the tender spouses, and the white-haired mothers, mourn beseechingly their sad misfortunes side by side, —6—

In varie parti, dove Son per le rive i sacri altari alzati.

in various parts where by the river banks the sacred altars are raised.

Si raddoppiano gl’Inni; Et la voce ben spesso Interrotta risuona Da singulti et da pianto.

The hymns are redoubled and the voice resounds often, interrupted by sobbing and weeping.

Levaci tù da tanti stratij homai Bella di Giove figlia; E il dannoso nemico, Che senza scudo, et armi In crude fiamme mi consuma, et strugge, Quinci à fuggir constringi.

Now deliver us from all our troubles, fair daughter of Jove and the harming enemy who, without shield or arms consumes me in cruel flames, and make him flee.

Et dà questa Cittade Ne l’Ocean l’immergi entr’à le stanze De la grand’Anfitrice; o tra gli scogli Del Mar Trace lo scaccia.

Però, che quel, che ci lasciò d’intatto, Et di salvo la notte, Il dì venendo invola.

And chase him from this city into the ocean, into the domain of Amphitrite, or among the rocks of the Thracian Sea. But what was left untouched for us at night, the coming of day steals.

Questo, ò Giove, Vibrando le fiammegianti faci, Co’l tripartito tuo pungente strale Struggi, et spegnilo in tutto.

Tu Re di Licia ancora, Il nervoso, et aurato arco tendendo, L’infallibili tue forte saette In nostro aiuto spendi.

This, oh Jove, Shaking your flaming torch, with your thunderbolt trident, destroy and extinguish everything.

You who are still King of Licia, holding your golden bow, send out your infallible, strong arrows to help us.

Deh ci consenta il ciel, Ch’anco Diana Da l’alte cime, ov’ella Per li monti di Licia errando vassi, I suoi piu accesi lumi Scuota in darci soccorso.

May the heavens grant that also, Diana, from the high summit where she, through the mountains of Lycia, goes wandering, Bring her brightest lights hastily to help us.

Et tu Bacco non meno, à cui le tempie Cinge aurata corona: Et godi haver con questa

And you Bacchus, no less, for whom the temples are decorated with golden crowns: —7—

Città comune il nome, A le menadi tue compagno, et Duce Unico, quà t’invia: Et questo tra li Dei Spirto infame, et nocivo Fà che da la tua ardente Face trafitto giaccia.

you who rejoice to have the same name as this city, accompanied by your Maenads, and who the one leader sends here; lay low this most infamous and harmful of Gods, and torment him with your flaming brands.

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II Choro secondo Qual è colui, che l’oracolo accusa, Che con le man ne l’altrui sangue tinte Commess’habbia delitto Cosi nefando et grave?

Who is this man, whom the oracle accuses, who with hands stained with the blood of another has committed a crime so immoral and serious?

Temp’è gia, ch‘egli prenda Piu che destrier veloce, et piu che vento, Giungend’ale à le piante Presta et subita fuga.

Ch’homai di Giove il figlio, Di fiamm’e strali armato, Stà per ferirlo in pronto.

Et per compagn’hà seco Le venerande, e in evitabil Parche, Che non errano mai.

Now is the time that he should, faster than a swift warhorse, than the wind, take to his heels in sudden and immediate flight.

Already I see the son of Jupiter armed with fire and thunderbolt, just about to wound him.

And with him as companions he has the venerable and inevitable Fates, who never err.

Però che da le parti piu secrete Dal gran Tempio vicino Al nevoso Parnaso, Novamente quà gionto, Con chiarissime note L’oracolo commanda, Ch’ogn’un di noi procuri Trovar l’occulto reo.

But just now, from the most secret parts of the great Temple near snowy Parnassus, with most clear signs, the oracle commands that each of us try to find the hidden offender.

Il qual per folte selve, et aspri monti Errando va con piede Infausto et infelice, Et per spelonche solitarie e oscure, Qual tauro afflitto suole, Involandosi al stuolo De li compagni armenti.

Cosi fuggir sperando Le minaccie del Dio, Ch’i sacri altari Posti hà nel mezzo de la terra à punto. Ma fugga ovunque vuole, Schivar non pò, Ch’eterna non li si giri intorno La destinata sorte.

He who, through dense woods and rugged mountains, wanders on foot, unhappily and unfavoured, and through the lonely, dark caves, As a troubled bear is wont, taking flight from a band of armed men.

Thus hoping to flee the threats of God, who has set the sacred altars in the middle of the earth.

Though wherever he might flee, he cannot evade the destined fate which whirls around him eternally.

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Ben gravemente mi spaventa e turba Ciò che predice il saggio Divin Profeta, il quale Cose di duol ci annuncia et d’horror piene.

Che si come non sono Facili, ond’huom le creda, Cosi non son del tutto Incredibili ancora.

I am deeply troubled and disturbed by what the Divine seer predicts, what sad things his announces to us, full of horror.

Though they are not so easy for a man to believe them, yet they are not totally unbelievable.

Onde dubbia hò la mente In quale parte volger mi deggia; Et dir non oso à quale opinion m’appigli: E incerta speme L’alma mi tien sospesa.

Ne posso innanzi, ò indietro, ò in altro loco Fermar la vista ancora.

Whence I have doubts in my mind as to where I should turn; and I dare not say what opinion I should seize.

Uncertain hope holds my soul in suspense.

Nor can I fix my gaze either ahead, behind, or any other place.

Che dianzi unqua non seppi, che tra’l figlio Di Laddaco, et tra quello, Che Polibo nacque Fosse contesa alcuna:

I never knew previously that there was a quarrel between the son of Laddaco and the son of Polybos.

Ne ancor saperlo posso.

Still I cannot know it.

Che raggion non consente, Ch’al detto sol d’un indovin mi mova A favorir le parti Di Laio, e à far vendetta Con tr’à un autor de la sua morte incerto Che non conosce altri che Febo, et Giove, Solo à quali è concesso A penetrar nell’attioni humane.

Reason does not allow, that the word alone of a soothsayer should move me to favour the part of Laius, and have a vendetta against the author of his uncertain death, whom no one knows but Apollo and Jupiter, to whom alone are granted to penetrate human deeds.

Et stolta cosa è inver, ch’altri pur creda, Che tra mortal’huom possa Saper, pronosticando, Piu di quel che sò io.

Che d’ingegno quantunque L’uno a l’altro prevaglia, Questo, ch’altro non è che di natura Un precioso dono, Ascriver non conviensi A Profetico spirto.

And it is a foolish thing, in truth, that one should believe too, that among mortals, a man can know by predicting the future, more than I know. However much wit prevails in one over another, should be considered a precious gift from Nature rather than attributed to a Prophetic spirit.

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Ma fermament’in me medesm’hò fisso Non dar credenza mai A tali note ingiurose e infami Contr’il Re nostro sparse; S’elle pria dal successo Delle cose non sono Giustificate à pieno.

I, myself, steadfastly refuse ever to give credence to such hurtful and vile accusations spread about our King; if they are not first fully justified by the outcome of things.

Quand’à lui già la monstruosa Sfinge, Che fanciulla nel volto, L’ale tenea d’augello, Venn’incontr’ad opporsi Et di prudente et saggio Hebbe d’ogn’un il vanto; Reccand’a la Città con tale impresa Gaudio et certa salute.

Onde non fia col mio giudicio mai, C’huom di merto cotanto D’alcun delitt’io danni.

When the monstrous Sphinx, with the face of a girl, and tender wing of a bird, came forwards to oppose, and had the better of everyone in prudence and wisdom; bringing joy and certain safety to the city with such enterprise.

Whence in my judgment I could never bring myself to condemn a man of such merit, of any crime.

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III Choro Terzo O voglia’l ciel, ch’io sempre Tanta felicità provi in me stesso, Ch’ogni opra, ogni mio detto, Puro e casto si mostri.

O may heaven will, that I may feel such happiness in myself, that my every deed and word may appear pure and chaste.

E quell tant’habbia sol nel pett’impresso, Ch’ordina l’alte leggi Date e prodotte in cielo Non da mortal natura, Ma da Dio stesso solo.

And may that one have impressed on the heart, that ordains the high laws given and made in heaven, not of mortal nature, but from God himself alone.

Queste non fia, che mai L’onda di Leth’asperga Di tenebroso oblio.

May it never happen that the waters of Lethe sprinkle them with dark oblivion.

Però ch’in esse occult E Dio grande ed eterno, Ch’invecchiar non le lascia.

Ben la giustitia hà in terra Partorito il Tiranno, La qual poi ch’à di molt’ingiurie, et molte Cose dannose, e indegne, Importuna operando, Un gran cumulo accolto,

But in them is hidden the great and eternal god, who allows them not to grow old.

Injustice has produced on earth a Tyrant, and then has collected a great pile of many injuries, harmful and unworthy things, acting inopportunely,

Giunta nel maggior colmo, I suoi seguaci in precipitio mena.

Che dal dritto sentiero Torsero sempre I passi, et li conduce, Ove in miseria estrema Son d’ogni cosa privi.

reaching the highest summit, leading its followers to the precipice.

That from the straight path have twisted the footsteps, and leads them where, in extreme misery, they are deprived of everything.

Prenda pur cura ognuno Di ritrovar il reo, che Laio uccise, Ch’à la Città fia questo Di gaudio, et di salute.

Et Dio supplice prego, Che tale impresa mai Abandonar non lassi,

May each one take care to find the offender again, who killed Laius, that he will be to the City of joy and health.

And I pray humbly that God never allow to abandon such an endeavour.

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Chi la giustia sprezza; E in fatti od in parole Le sacre leggi offende; E chi religion non teme, ò cura; Ne rende a Dio nei tempi, I suoi debiti honori; Et chi pien d’avaritia ingiustamente Ad arrichirsi attende, Per poter de la vita Li piaceri seguir tristi, e infelici; Ne le sceleratezze Empie aborisce, ò fugge; Ne di por mano astiensi Ne l’illecite cose.

Ne di por mano astiensi Ne l’illecite cose.

Da malvaggio e da stolto; Cada questi distrutto Da cruda morte e ucciso.

Nor am I to attempt the thing, unless I have God with me in front, and as my guide.

Whoever spurns justice and in word or deed offends the sacred laws; whoever fears not religion, nor renders to god his temple’s due honours, and who, pull of avarice seeks to enrich himself unjustly in order to pursue the sad and unhappy pleasures of life; Nor abhors nor flees from wicked and impious things; nor restrains his hand from illicit things; from malice and stupidity; may he die destroyed and killed by cruel death.

Ma chi fia tra mortali Che de l’affetto à gl’empiti resista E’l suo furor reffreni?

Se’l vitio à vitio non s’ascrive; ed anzi Via piu tosto s’honora?

But who will there be among mortals who may resist affection from the impious ones and restrain his anger?

If fault is not ascribed to fault and instead is itself honoured?

A che debb’io piu con dilett’homai Ne I di sacri esolenni Menar festosi balli?

Qual di religion pietoso zelo Fia, che piu à gir ne spinga D’a polli ne à gl’altari Posti secreta parte Nel mezzo de la terra?

O a visitor gl’eccelsi D’abi e d’OlimpiaTempij?

Se non si scuopr’il vero Di queste cose occulte, Si che con man lo tochi Chiaro et apert’ogn’uno.

Why should I more follow with pleasure the sacred and solemn feast days and festal dances?

What zeal for pious religion will lead me any more to the venerate the altars of Apollo, hidden in the midst of the earth?

Or to visit the highmost temples of Abas and Olympia?

If the truth of these hidden things is not discovered, so fully that everyone can touch it with his hand clearly and openly.

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Ma tù ch’à voglia tua reggi e governi Il tutto.

O sommo Giove; Se I giusti pregh’ascolti, Volgi à quest’opre gl’occhi Dal tuo seggio immortale.

But you, who rule according to your will, and govern everything, O highest Jove, if you hear just prayers, turn your eyes to these troubles from your immortal seat.

Hor gl’oracoli antique De la morete di Laio Si scancellan del tutto: Ne piu rendonsi a Febo I suoi soliti honori Và del divino culto Ogni cosa in ruina.

Now the ancient oracles of the death of Laius are totally voided.

No more are the usual honours given to Apollo.

Everything of divine worship is in ruin.

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IV Choro quarto Misera humana prole, Sia pur d’ogni ben colma, Mentre qui dura la tua vita, ò come Nulla ti stimo.

Poiche quell huom mai Visse felice quanto Piu bramar si potesse, Et d’ogni suo desio pago, et content, Che di fortun’al fina Ne le rapaci, et torbide procelle Non si trovi sommerso.

Poor human child, while your hard life endures here, how as nothing I esteem you.

For what man has ever lived happily as much as he might be able to yearn for more, happy and content in his every desire, who at the end of fortune does not find himself submerged in greedy and turbid tempests?

Quinci à l’essempio tuo mirando, ò Edipo; O miserrimo Edippo; E al vario stato incerto Di tua sorte pensando, Tra mortal’huom non tengo Veramente beato.

Therefore gazing on your example, O Oedipus, O miserable Oedipus; and thinking on the varying uncertain state of your lot, among mortals I do know a man truly blessed

Poscia che tù, nel maggior colmo giunto De la felicitate, Da ogni un tenuto à pien beato fusti.

After you reached the greatest summit of felicity, you were held by everyone fully blessed.

O come, ò sommo Giove, Fù di tua mano uccisa La vergine crudel dai curvi artigli, Ch’iraconda formava Sanguinolenti note.

How, o highest Jove, was by your hand killed the Cruel Virgin with curved claws, who wrathfully made bloody marks.

Tu quasi torre ben fondata, e salda, Opponendoti à lei, Da le calamitose acerbe morti, Ond’era vinta, e oppresa La mia Patria salvasti.

You, like a well-founded and settled tower, opposing her, saved my oppressed and defeated homeland from calamitous and harsh deaths.

Quinci ottenuto havendo Regal titolo, e scetro, Con somm’honor governi L’alto Imperio di Tebbe.

Wherefore, having obtained the Royal title, and sceptre, you govern the high empire of Thebes with great honour.

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Ma chi piu di te misero, per grido Universal s’udio?

Chi piu involto fu mai Per variar di stato e di fortuna, In pelago profondo Di faticose cure E di danni piu gravi?

But who more miserable than you is heard by universal cry?

Who was ever overwhelmed by varying state and fortune, in the deep sea of difficult worries, and of more serious injuries?

Osfortunato Edipo.

Tu quell’utero istesso, Che fu del padre tuo prima feconda Di tua colpa machiasti.

Alas, illustrious Oedipus, you have stained the same womb which was first fecund by your father;

Ma com’è, che’l paterno Letto, com’è, che tanto, Senza farne querela al mondo E al Cielo, Tolerar si potesse?

But how is it that the paternal bed could tolerate you so long without making complaint to earth or heaven?

Te manifesta al fine Quando di ciò nulla temevi il tempo, Ch’ogni cosa discuopre.

L’empio stupor accusando De la madre e del figlio.

It reveals you at the end when you feared nothing of the time that uncovers everything.

Reproaching the marriage, the illegitimate marriage of mother and son.

O del seme di Laio infausta prole, Piacesse al Ciel, piacesse, Ch’io piu nell’avenir piu in alcun tempo Non ti vedesse mai.

Me la tua dura sorte A lagrimar constringe, E a sfogar fuor del petto Mesti, e lugubri accenti.

Verò dirò già morend’io: Potesti l’alm’in me rivocando Darmi spirit e vita Et hor mi chiudi gl’occhi Intenebre eterne, Et hormi chiudi gl’occhi Intenebre eterne.

Oh unhappy child of the seed of Laius, may it please heaven that I never see you again neither in the future nor at any other time.

But your hard fate drives me to weep, and sad and mournful tones to flow out of my breast.

That, if I should speak the truth, it is because of you that now I recover from serious ills and enjoy my dreams securely in tranquil state.

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Guest Director Nils Schweckendiek All Hallows Chapel, DCU | Friday 12th November

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People Artistic Director Paul Hillier Patron Michael D Higgins President of Ireland Principal Funder Arts Council Additional Support Dublin City University National Concert Hall Friends & Society Members Volunteers

Sopranos Abbi Temple Elizabeth Adams Felicity Hayward Charlotte Trepess

Chief Executive Majella Hollywood

Altos Christina Whyte Laura Lamph Leanne Fitzgerald Stephen Wallace

Marketing and Development Manager Aoife Cuthbert

Tenors Shane Barriscale Christopher Bowen* Edward Woodhouse* Rory Lynch* Basses Jeffrey Ledwidge Paul McGough Eoghan Desmond William Gaunt *Deputy

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Concerts’ Manager David Darcy

Publicist Mary Folan Board of Directors Olga Barry Susan Lannigan Alastair Rankin Brian Walsh (Chair) Richard Twomey

Paul Hillier Artistic Director

PAUL HILLIER IS from Dorset in England and studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. His career has embraced singing, conducting, composing, and writing about music.

He formed the Hilliard Ensemble in 1973 and was its musical director for 17 years. In 1990 he created a new group called Theatre of Voices, which he continues to direct today. He has taught in the USA at the University of California campuses of Santa Cruz and Davis, and from 1996-2003 was Director of the Early Music Institute at Indiana University, Bloomington.

He was Principal Conductor of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (2001–2007) and has been Chief Conductor of Ars Nova Copenhagen since 2003. His books about Arvo Pärt and Steve Reich are published by Oxford University Press. In 2006 he was awarded an OBE for services to choral music. In 2007 he received the Order of the White Star of Estonia, and was awarded a Grammy for Best Choral Recording.

In 2008 he became Chief Conductor of Chamber Choir Ireland and was appointed artistic director of the newly formed Coro Casa da Musica in Porto.

That same year he also created his own music publishing company, Theatre of Voices Edition (www. tov-edition.com).

During 2009 he was artist in residence at Yale University’s Institute for Sacred Music. In 2010 he was awarded his second Grammy – for David Lang’s The Little Match Girl Passion.

In 2013 he was awarded the Order of Dannebrog (the Danish knighthood)

by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe of Denmark. Paul is represented worldwide

by Konzertdirektion Hörtnagel, Berlin.

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Chamber Choir Ireland ‘It was at once a sheerly beautiful immersion in choral sonority’ IRISH TIMES, MARCH 2019 GARNERING A STRONG reputation for its unique approach to creative commissioning, recording and programming, Chamber Choir Ireland is the country’s flagship choral ensemble and national chamber choir under the Artistic Direction of the multiaward- winning conductor, Paul Hillier.

The Choir’s programmes span from early renaissance to the present day, incorporating established choral classics with cutting edge commissions, and a style of performance that incorporates versatility, dynamism and often vocal pyrotechnics.

Chamber Choir Ireland performances have been described as having a tone which is ‘liquid in its power and purity’ with a ‘strong vocal flexibility of style’ (Belfast Telegraph). The Choir has a strong commitment to touring in Ireland and continues to develop its touring network in order to present high quality choral concerts to audiences around the country. International touring has included the USA, UK, Belgium, Russia, Germany and South America.

Beethoven, featuring the Crash Ensemble and Stephen Richardson on the Orchid Classics label. The most recent release garnering a 5-star review in the Irish Times was Letters which included the CCI commission Triptych

by David Fennessy and A Letter of Rights

by Tarik O’Regan & Alice Goodman on the Naxos label (November 2020).

Chamber Choir Ireland has a strong Learning and Participation programme, including in Composers in the Classroom, Choral Sketches, Sing! at Axis:Ballymun and a lecture series on the history of choral music in Ireland.

Chamber Choir Ireland receives principal funding & support from the Arts Council/ an Chomhairle Ealaíon, is a resident ensemble at the National Concert Hall of Ireland, Associate Artists to Dublin City University, and a member of TENSO – the network of professional chamber choirs in Europe. In 2021, Chamber Choir Ireland welcomed President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins as Patron.

The choir has previously recorded for the Harmonia Mundi, RTÉ Lyric FM labels including the world premiere recording of works by Gerald Barry, Barry meets — 20 —

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Chamber Choir Ireland National Concert Hall Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2 email admin@chamberchoirireland.com www.chamberchoirireland.com — 22 —