Description
Antonio Vivaldi – Juditha Triumphans (Oratorio) CD
Gloria Banditelli, Mária Zádori, Judit Németh, Annette Markert, Katalin Gémes Capella Savaria / Nicholas McGegan Hungaroton Antiqua – HCD 31063-64 | 2x Audio CD | 1990 | Stereo
Condition: USED LIKE NEW — Discs and inserts are in pristine condition, showing minimal handling wear.
Overview
Antonio Vivaldi’s Juditha Triumphans (Judith Triumphant) stands as the only surviving oratorio by the Venetian master and remains one of his most profound sacred works. This 1990 Hungaroton Antiqua edition, performed by Capella Savaria under Nicholas McGegan, presents the oratorio on period instruments with exceptional authenticity and emotional depth.
Recorded in 1988 at the Bartók Hall in Szombathely, Hungary, this 2-CD album showcases a cast of outstanding mezzo-sopranos and sopranos who bring to life the Old Testament story of Judith’s courageous victory over the Assyrian general Holofernes.
Condition: USED LIKE NEW
Label & Release Details
- Label: Hungaroton Antiqua
- Catalog Number: HCD 31063-64
- Country: Hungary
- Released: 1990
- Format: 2 × Audio CD, Album, Stereo
- Genre: Classical
- Style: Baroque, Oratorio
Cast and Performers
- Juditha – Gloria Banditelli (Mezzo-soprano)
- Abra (her servant) – Mária Zádori (Soprano)
- Holofernes (Assyrian general) – Judit Németh (Mezzo-soprano)
- Vagans (his servant) – Annette Markert (Mezzo-soprano)
- Ozias (High Priest) – Katalin Gémes (Mezzo-soprano)
Orchestra: Capella Savaria (on period instruments) Choir: Szombathely Vocal Ensemble (Chorus Master: István Deáky) Conductor: Nicholas McGegan
Recording Information
- Venue: Bartók Hall, Szombathely, Hungary
- Recording Dates: August 10–21, 1988; May 18–22, 1990
- Producer: András Székely
- Engineers: Ferenc Pécsi, Rudolf Pechan
Musical and Theological Significance
Juditha Triumphans (RV 644) is based on the apocryphal Book of Judith, celebrating the divine deliverance of Israel through Judith’s faith-driven courage. Commissioned by the Ospedale della Pietà in Venice, the work was premiered in 1716 with an all-female cast — reflecting the sacred and educational mission of the institution.
The oratorio’s score is rich with dramatic contrasts, from martial choruses (“Arma, caedes, vindictae”) to serene arias like “Agitata infido flatu” and “Veni, veni, me sequere.” Vivaldi’s orchestration—featuring recorders, theorbos, violas d’amore, and chalumeaux—embodies both spiritual intensity and refined Venetian color.
Track Highlights
CD 1
- Arma, caedes, vindictae – Opening Chorus
- Nil arma, nil bella – Holofernes
- Quo cum patriae me ducit – Juditha
- Agitata infido flatu – Juditha
- Mundi rector de caelo – Final Chorus
CD 2
- O sydera, o stellae – Ozias
- Nox obscura – Holofernes
- Transit aetas – Juditha
- Armatae face – Vagans
- Salve invicta Juditha – Triumphant Closing Chorus
Credits
- Libretto: Jacopo Cassetti
- Art Direction: Pál Németh
- Photography: Andrea Felvégi, Kálmán Garas
- Painting on Cover: Lucas Cranach
- Liner Notes: János Malina
Collector’s Notes
This edition is highly regarded among Baroque collectors for its faithful period performance, clear stereo sound, and historically informed direction by McGegan. The Hungaroton Antiqua series remains one of the earliest complete Baroque oratorio recordings made in Central Europe, making this release both a spiritual and historical treasure.
