Saul og David

Saul og David ("Saul and David") is the first of the two operas by the Danish composer Carl Nielsen. The four-act libretto, by Einar Christiansen, tells the Biblical story of Saul's jealousy of the young David, taken from the Book of Samuel. The first performance was at the Royal Theatre, Copenhagen on 28 November, 1902. The first UK production was in February 1977 in London by the University College Opera Society. [Hugh Ottaway, "Nielsen's "Saul and David". "The Musical Times", 118(1608), pp. 121, 123-124 (1977).]

Roles

ynopsis

Act 1

Saul and his army await the arrival of Samuel at Gilgal for the sacrifice to the God of Israel before battle with the Philistines. But Samuel does not come by the appointed time, so Saul performs the sacrifice himself. Moments later Samuel arrives and denounces the king's actions, and pronounces God's curse upon Saul. Though Saul repents, Samuel remains resolute, and Saul falls into despair. Jonathan's friend David sooths Saul with his singing. Michal and David fall in love.

Act 2

Abner interrupts David, who is singing for Saul, and announces the challenge of the Philistine champion Goliath. Saul promises Michal's hand to whoever can defeat Goliath. David undertakes the challenge and succeeds. Saul immediately becomes jealous of the adulation David receives, and David flees to escape the king's anger.

Act 3

David and Abishai come upon Saul's camp when all are asleep. David takes Saul's spear and water container to show he has been by the king but has not harmed him. He shouts from the hilltop to arouse the camp and pleads for reconciliation, but this is forestalled by the arrival of Samuel, who before dying anoints David the new king of Israel. Saul's jealousy flares again, and David flees with Michal.

Act 4

Saul and Abner prevail upon the Witch of Endor to raise Samuel's spirit from the dead. Saul beseeches Samuel for help against the Philistines, but Samuel declares that God has abandoned Saul, that Saul and all his sons will die before the day is out. Battle ensues, and Jonathan is mortally wounded. Saul despairs and falls on his sword. The people acclaim David as their new king, but David is heart-broken by the deaths of Saul and Jonathan.

elected recordings

* Unicorn RHS 343/5: Boris Christoff, Willy Hartmann, Elisabeth Söderström, Alexander Young, Michael Langdon, Kim Borg, Bodil Gobel, Sylvia Fisher, Mogens Berg, Kirsten Buhl-Moller; Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus; John Alldis Choir; Jascha Horenstein, conductor (recording in English) [ [http://oq.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/citation/2/2/148 Matthew Gurewitsch, "Saul and David": Carl Nielsen". "The Opera Quarterly", 2(2), 148-150 (1984).] ]
* Chandos 8911(2): Aage Haugland, Anne Gjevang, Christian Christiansen, Jurgen Klint, Kurt Westi, Peter Lindroos, Tina Kiberg; Danish National Choir; Danish National Symphony Orchestra; Neeme Järvi, conductor (recording in Danish, 1990)

References

ources

*"Viking Opera Guide" ed. Holden (Viking, 1993)
*"Nielson – Saul & David", libretto of Chandos recording 8911(2), including notes by Jack Lawson, secretary of the Carl Nielsen Society of Great Britain (Chandos, 1990)