Exsultate, jubilate

Exsultate, jubilate (Exult, rejoice), K. 165, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was written in 1773.

History

This religious solo motet was composed at the time Mozart was staying in Milan[1][2] during the production of his opera Lucio Silla which was being performed in the Teatro Regio Ducal in Milan. The motet was written for the castrato Venanzio Rauzzini,[3][4] who was singing the part of the primo uomo Cecilio in Lucio Silla the previous year.[5] While waiting for the end of the run (from 26 December 1772 to 25 January 1773), Mozart composed the motet for his singer, whose technical excellence he admired. Its first performance took place at the Theatine Church on 17 January 1773, while Rauzzini was still singing in Mozart's opera at night.[6] Mozart made some revisions around 1780.[7] In modern times, the motet is usually sung by a female soprano.

Structure

It is divided into three parts:

  1. Allegro – Recitative
  2. Andante
  3. Allegro

Although nominally for liturgical use, the motet has many features in common with Mozart's concert arias, such as those drawn from his operas.[8] Mozart also used elements of concerto form in this motet.[9]

Libretto

Exsultate, jubilate,
o vos animae beatae,
dulcia cantica canendo,
cantui vestro respondendo,
psallant aethera cum me.

Rejoice, resound with joy,
o you blessed souls,
singing sweet songs,
In response to your singing
let the heavens sing forth with me.

Recitative

Fulget amica dies,
jam fugere et nubila et procellae;
exorta est justis
inexspectata quies.
Undique obscura regnabat nox,
surgite tandem laeti
qui timuistis adhuc,
et jucundi aurorae fortunatae
frondes dextera plena et lilia date.

The friendly day shines forth,
both clouds and storms have fled now;
for the righteous there has arisen
an unexpected calm.
Dark night reigned everywhere [before];
arise, happy at last,
you who feared till now,
and joyful for this lucky dawn,
give garlands and lilies with full right hand.

Tu virginum corona,
tu nobis pacem dona,
tu consolare affectus,
unde suspirat cor.

You, o crown of virgins,
grant us peace,
Console our feelings,
from which our hearts sigh.

Alleluja, alleluja![10]

References

  1. ↑ K. Kuster, M. Whittall Mozart: A Musical Biography, Oxford University Press, p. 25
  2. ↑ "The Three Versions of Mozart's Exsultate, jubilate". pzweifel.com. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
  3. ↑ L. Schenbeck (1996). Joseph Haydn and The Classical Choral Tradition Hinshaw Music, p. 235
  4. ↑ P. Barbier (1989). The World of the Castrati: The History of an Extraordinary Operatic Phenomenon transl. M. Crosland, Souvenir Press, p. 179
  5. ↑ Feldman, Martha (2007). Opera and sovereignty: transforming myths in eighteenth-century Italy. New York: University of Chicago Press. p. 56 n. 36. ISBN 978-0-226-24113-5.
  6. ↑ Hermann Abert, Mozart, (1909), transl. and revised by Cliff Eisen, Yale UP, 2007, pp. 150–1
  7. ↑ C. Eisen, S. Sadie. The New Grove Mozart Macmillan (2002), p. 11
  8. ↑ Corneilson (2006) Paul. "Arias, Concert" Cambridge The Cambridge Mozart Encyclopedia, C. Eisen, Keefe (editors), Simon P., Cambridge University Press, p. 21
  9. ↑ Küster, Whittall (1996) Konrad, Mary. Oxford Mozart: a Musical Biography Oxford University Press, p. 41
  10. ↑ http://pzweifel.com/books-Bridge/exultate_jubilate.htm
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