By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept,

when we remembered you, O Zion. C ONSORTIUM C ARISSIMI

As for our harps, we hung them up ―…squisita musica strumentale ed eccellente musica vocale.‖ Pompilio Totti Ritratto di Roma 1638
on the trees in the midst of that land.
Psalm 137
Book of Common Prayer

SUPER FLUMINA BABILONIS

Lenten Motets and Oratories

Music of
Bonifazio Graziani & Giacomo Carissimi

20
 Consortium Carissimi
——— Board Members ——–
The Singers Robert Pontious, President
Sopranos I Sopranos II Altos Beth Nunnally, Treasurer
David Seykora, Secretary
Diane Koschak Carrie Henneman Shaw Jerry J. Hinks
Consortium Carissimi is a a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
Kathryn Higgins Bridget Higgins Brian Link P.O. Box 40533
Julie Seykora Beth Nunnally Marsha Smith Saint Paul, Minnesota 55104
Tel. 612.822.1376

Tenors Basses
And extraordinary gratitude to donors who have provided financial support during this debut season
Tim Nelson Garrick Comeaux
Robert Pontious Tim Higgins Bonifazio Graziani Patricia
L’Oratorio
and MarkAdae
Bauer
Steve Staruch Ben Henry-Moreland 1604 - 1664 for
Phillip Brunelle and Basso continuo
four voices

Douglas Shambo II Ann and David Buran

Giacomo Carissimi Mottetto Super flumina Babilonis
1605 - 1674 Patricia
for fourCadwell
voices and Basso continuo
Garrick Comeaux
The Players Giacomo Carissimi Elisabeth
L’OratorioComeaux
Baltazar Assyriorum Rex
for
Ednafive voices, two violins and Basso continuo
Erickson
Cornetto Basso Continuo Organ Rob Foy
Scott Hagarty Thomas E. Walker, Jr. theorbo Peter Hendrickson Dr. Ronald French
Mary Virginia Burke, viola da gamba Bob Hickcox and Jackie Henry
Robert and Sigrid Johnson
Baroque Trombones Steve Germana, viola da gamba
Mark and ???? Kausch
John Tranter, alto sackbut Mark Kausch, violone Bernhard Marzell
Dan Bussian, tenor sackbut Liam Gilson, fagotto Tim and Kathy Nelson
John Weaver, bass sackbut Giacomo Carissimi Ann Nickoloff
Mottetto Parce heu, parce iam
Patfor
andfour
Beth voices
Nunnallyand Basso continuo
Martin O’Connell and Mary Fischer
special guest artist Bonifazio Graziani Patrick
L’Oratorio
and KathyFilii prodigii
Romey
Annalisa Pappano, lirone for four voices,
David and Julie Seykora
two violins and Basso continuo

Giacomo Carissimi Everett Lavern Sutton

Mottetto Sustinuimus pacem
forDale
six Talley
voices and Basso continuo
Direction John Andreasen and Yancey Thrift
Garrick Comeaux David and Connie Triplett
Lani Willis

2 19
Super flumina Babilonis is set for four voices (SSAT) and Basso continuo and the text is based primarily on
Psalm 136 in dialogue with sections of Psalm 150. A facsimile of the first page has been placed on the
back cover of this concert program. This motet and Parce heu, pace mi, (for four voices SSAB and Basso Friday, February 29th 2008 ▪ 7:30pm ▪ Trinity Church, Excelsior
continuo) which will be heard later in the program, are dialogue motets that were probably not heard within Saturday, March 1st 2008 ▪ 7:00pm ▪ St. Mary’s Chapel at St. Paul Seminary, St. Paul
any liturgical context, but rather in the para-liturgical atmosphere of the oratory, (San Filippo Neri at the Sunday, March 2nd 2008 ▪ 7:00pm ▪ Hoversten Chapel at Augsburg College, Minneapolis
Chiesa Nuova and of course the Santissimo Crocifisso near via del Corso). Fridays in Lent were especially
popular for Roman Catholics and these events of great music and fine preaching were considered to be
spiritual exercises for the upcoming Holy Week and the Easter Feast.
Carissimi’s Oratorio Baltazar Assyriorum Rex (for five voices SSATB and Basso continuo) is the story of
King Belshazzar, his feast, and the unfortunate writing on the wall. The text is based on the story from the
Book of the Prophet Daniel (Chapter 5). This theatrical piece sets the listener in the midst of a great feast SUPER FLUMINA BABILONIS
with a very simple musical composition form. (It is good theater.) Note the difference in style from his
Motets. The dialogue that ensues between Belshazzar and Daniel prompted me to set the figured bass
ensemble with a lirone. A lirone is shaped like a viola da gamba and has frets but it has 12 strings and a flat
bridge which permits it to play chords between three and five notes. This wonderful instrument was
primarily used in Italy during the late 16th and early 17th centuries to provide continuo, or harmony for Bonifazio Graziani L’Oratorio Adae
the accompaniment of vocal music. 1604 - 1664 for four voices and Basso continuo
Tonight, playing the lirone, is Annalisa Pappano who studied at Indiana University's Early Music Institute
(Wendy Gillespie) and at Oberlin Conservatory of Music (Catharina Meints). Her playing has been Giacomo Carissimi Mottetto Super flumina Babilonis
described by critics as "mercurial and enchanting" and "with a sound that is lighter than air with the airy 1605 - 1674 for four voices and Basso continuo
luster of gilding on the mirrors of a rococo drawing room." She has performed throughout Belgium and
the U.S. and has appeared on nationally syndicated radio. Pappano is a member of Baroque Northwest Giacomo Carissimi L’Oratorio Baltazar Assyriorum Rex
(Seattle), the Oberlin Consort of Viols, and Les Plaisirs Durables (Brussels, Belgium), and has performed for five voices, two violins and Basso continuo
with numerous other ensembles including the Houston
Cornetto Grand Opera, the Cleveland Opera,
Basso Continuo Opera
Organ
Atelier (Toronto), American Opera Theater, Cappella Artemisia with Bruce Dickey (Bologna, Italy),
Scott Hagarty Thomas E. Walker, Jr. theorbo Peter Hendrickson
Camerata Pacifica Baroque, La Donna Musicale, Mélomanie, Le Nuove Musiche, and Bella Voce. She has
taught at Viola da Gamba Society ofMary Virginia
America Burke,
national viola dathegamba
conclaves, Viola da Gamba Society Pacific
Northwest and Northeast chapters, the San Diego Early Music Workshop, ViolsWest, the Madison Early ————— An interval of 15 minutes —————
Baroque Trombones Steve Germana, viola da gamba
Music Workshop, and has been a guest lecturer at numerous universities. Pappano led the Catacoustic
John Tranter,
Consort to win thealto sackbut
grand prize in the NaxosMark Kausch,
/ Early violone Live Recording Competition and
Music America
recorded a program of Italian
Dan Bussian, tenor sackbut laments on the Naxos label. This season finds Pappano teaching viola da
Liam Gilson, fagotto
gamba at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and teaching historical performance
John Weaver,
practice at Miami bass sackbut
University. Giacomo Carissimi Mottetto Parce heu, parce iam
L’Oratorio Filii prodigii (for four voices SSTB and Basso continuo) is based on the parable of the Prodigal for four voices and Basso continuo
Son, found in Luke’s Gospel (15:1-32). Sustinuimus pacem comes from a Seminary Library in Kroměříž in
special guest artist Bonifazio Graziani L’Oratorio Filii prodigii
Moravia of the Czech Republic. Sustinuimus pacem is composed of two responsorio texts that come from the
Offices for the 1 Sunday in November.Annalisa
st The rest of Pappano,
the text is a lirone
free composition, either on the part of for four voices, two violins and Basso continuo
Graziani himself or a Jesuit colleague at Il Gesù, where he was employed, as Maestro di Cappella.
We have set up the Roman Oratorio in the midst of a Minnesota winter with exquisite instrumental music and Giacomo Carissimi Mottetto Sustinuimus pacem
excellent vocal music. The only original element missing in this concert program was the preaching. It would for six voices and Basso continuo
seem to be indeed superfluous.
Garrick Comeaux, Artistic Director

18 3
 C ONSORTIUM C ARISSIMI
―…squisita musica strumentale ed eccellente musica vocale.‖ Pompilio Totti Ritratto di Roma 1638
Presentation
Consortium Carissimi was founded in Rome in 1996 with the intent of uncovering and bringing to modern day
ears the long forgotten Italian-Roman sacred and secular music of the 16th and especially the 17th century.
Among the various types of music that flourished in Rome during the 17th century, the Oratories of Giacomo
Carissimi are perhaps examples of the most outstanding form of composition of that time. Consortium Carissimi
proudly takes on his name as a means for performance practice in both concerts and recordings, moving ahead in
the area of the manuscript transcription and the performances of his little known Motets and Cantatas.
Alongside the works of Carissimi, the ensemble also proposes music of his contemporaries, which was often
mistaken as music of Carissimi either for the similar style or for its simple, fresh new approach to text, melody
and accompaniment. Dedicating much of the research and concert activity to composers like Graziani, Rossi,
Pasquini and Sances, Consortium Carissimi assures not only extremely interesting Concert Programming, but
provides a clearer picture of the musical fermentation of the Early Roman Baroque.
This repertory, wrongly forgotten and heard very little today, even within musicological-performance circles, offers
examples of the high level of musical creativity of the time and certainly no less excellent than the European
output of the 18th century. Of great importance is the performance of sacred and secular music transcribed from
manuscript or early print sources, which come from libraries located all over Europe. This work, which is done
by its founder Garrick Comeaux, allows Consortium Carissimi to program World Premier Concerts and
Recordings. The musical style, the affects of the texts, the ornamentation and the choice of the figured bass
instruments are objects of continuous research. It is however right within these parameters that Consortium
Carissimi finds its reason for existence and finds the vital energy necessary for the continuing research and
performance practice.
The Italian Consortium Carissimi ensemble consists primarily of a small nucleus: three male vocal specialists,
Fabio Furnari, tenor; Marco Scavazza, baritone; yours truly as bass singer, and Vittorio Zanon, organ and
musical direction; Pietro Prosser, theorbo; and Crisitiano Contadin, viola da gamba. This Italian ensemble truly
helped build the solid foundation for introducing Consortium Carissimi to North America.
Today you will hear the larger formation of the stateside ensemble of Consortium Carissimi. Much of the
Carissimi repertory in fact requires more mixed voices and additional instruments, as is in the case of this
evening’s concert. It is our hope to pursue the performance of these larger works of this era with this phenomenal
stateside ensemble, as well as to continue musical collaboration with our Italian friends.
These first performances of Consortium Carissimi USA are dedicated to all of them.
4 17
—————— This evening’s performance ——————
Today, unfortunately, not one autograph manuscript of Giacomo Carissimi is to be found in Rome or
anywhere for that matter. The first attempt to search seriously for them was done by Pietro Alfieri (1801-
1863) who published his findings in the Gazzetta musicale di Milano in 1851 and again in 1855. Alfieri
concluded that the suppression of the Society of Jesus (1773) caused an enormous upheaval at the College
where Carissimi taught and where the manuscripts were most likely sold as waste paper to the cheese
mongers at the Campo de’ fiori open market. The French occupation in Rome (1798-1799) also caused the
pillaging of many archives which contained this sacred music. Already in 1851, Alfieri underscores the fact
that those manuscripts which survived are due to the enthusiasm and diligence of those who were students
of Carissimi, and to those scholars who came to Italy and collected music.
Since there are no existing autograph Motet manuscripts of Giacomo Carissimi, all manuscripts that have
been transcribed by Consortium Carissimi are transcriptions themselves of Carissimi’s contemporaries. These
transcriptions of both sacred and secular music come from Library Manuscripts or Early Printed Editions,
and as a consequence, much if not all of this music has not been performed and heard since. Any
endeavour to accurately account for this music would be difficult without the enormous work done by Prof.
Andrew V. Jones in his Doctoral Dissertation Motets of Carissimi Oxford University 1980, British studies in
musicology no.5; a revision of the author’s thesis, produced and distributed by UMI Research Press, Ann
Arbor, Michigan (USA).
More than 200 Motets have been attributed to Carissimi over the years but Prof. Jones’ exhaustive work
has helped in clearing much of the confusion concerning the correct authorship of numerous Motets
(Cazzati, Foggia, Sances and Graziani). When close scrutiny is applied in the quest for authenticity, many
Motets still remain of uncertain attribution. All of the music you music you will hear is definitely of the
hand of Carissimi and Graziani.
Bonifazio Graziani is perhaps one of the best kept secrets of the early Roman Baroque period. Discerning
authorship of his music is not as problematic as it is with Carissimi’s, since most of his efforts were
conveniently published, by his brother, Graziano. His oratories however were never printed and published,
consequently only two of his survive in manuscript form and are safely kept in Library of the
Conservatorio Statale di Musica G.B. Martini in Bologna Italy. You will hear both of them.
The doubling of voices and instruments was a common creative liberty of the Renaissance that carried over
into the early Baroque. Much of what you will near will be vocal lines doubled with a cornetto or a sackbut.
We open this program with Graziani’s Oratorio Adae (for four voices SSTB and Basso continuo). All three
of the oratories are similar in that the Textus or Historicus (Evangelist or Narrator) is given to different solo
voices throughout and at times set for 2, 3, 4 or 5 voices. The Adae Oratorio differs from the others in that
it has no sinfonie. The sinfonie were not always composed by the composer of the work and consequently
they were often taken from other compositions.
I was struck by the particular beauty of the final section of Carissimi’s Motet Super flumina and could hear it
played, not sung, by four instruments. This newly invented sinfonia will be heard several times throughout
the program and the Motet (with instruments doubling the voices) will be heard in its entirety immediately
after Adae.
Mottetto Sustinuimus pacem for six voices and Basso continuo
Sustinuimus pacem et non venit; quaesimus bona, et ecce turbatio.
We wait for peace and it fails to come; we seek what is good, and behold, confusion.
Cognovimus, Domine, peccata nostra; peccavimus.
We acknowledge our sins, O Lord; we have sinned.
Impii gessimus, peccavimus, iniquitatem fecimus in omni iustitiam tuam.
We have acted wickedly, we have sinned, we have committed iniquity against your righteousness.
Aspice, Domine, de sede sancta tua, et miserere nostri.
Lord, look down from your holy seat and have mercy on us.
Inclina, Deus meus, aurem tuam ad preces nostras,
Incline your ear, my God, to our prayers.
Aperi oculos et vide tribulationem nostram et esto placabilis super nequitia populi tui.
Open your eyes and see our tribulation and be gentle toward the sins of your people.
Clamemus ad Dominum, et misericordiam tuam fusis lachrimis postulemus.
We will call unto the Lord, and we will require your mercy with the tears we have poured forth.
Humiliemus illi animas nostras ut benedicat nos in aeternum.
We will bow our spirits to him that he may bless us forever.
A special thanks for this evening’s performance
to Rev. W. Andrew Waldoand the community of Trinity Episcopal Church,
to Fr. Tom Margevicius, our host at the St. Paul Seminary
to Rev. W. Andrew Waldo, our host at Augsburg College
to Robert Foy with Latin text translations,
and to Bill Mathis and Hennepin United Methodist Church for the use of the portative organ.
16
Giacomo Carissimi
Program Notes and Latin Text Translations
L’Oratorio Adae Bonifazio Graziani (1604 - 1664)
—— Pars prima ——
TEXTUS
Heva, Mater viventium sedebat secus arborem, de cuius fructu Dominus praeceperat ne tangeret.
Tunc ergo serpens callidus ascendens super arborem sic ait, sic ait ad mulierem.
Eve, the Mother of all living things, was sitting near the tree whose fruit the Lord had commanded her
not to touch. So then the cunning serpent, climbing up the tree, said, thus said, to the woman.
SERPENS
Quare, quare, Heva, praecepit nobis Dominus ut non comederetis de omni ligno Paradisi?
Why, why, Eve, has the Lord commanded that we may not eat from all the trees in the Garden?
HEVA
De fructo lignorum quae sunt in Paradiso vescimur, de fructo vero ligni quod est in
Medio Paradisi, praecepit nobis Deus ne comederemus et non tangeremus illud.
We may feed upon the fruit of every tree in the Garden save the fruit of the tree that is in the
middle of the Garden; God commanded us not to eat of that and not to touch it.
SERPENS
Quare, quare, Heva, de fructo ligni quod est in medio Paradisinon comedetis et non tangetis illud.
Why, why, Eve, may you not eat of the fruit of the tree
that is in the middle of the Garden, neither touch it?
HEVA
Fructum ligni non comederemus, ne forte, ne forte moriamur.
We may not eat of the fruit of that tree lest by chance, lest by chance we should die.
SERPENS
Nequaquam, nequaquam moriemini, sed sicut Deus eritis scientes bonum et malum.
Quampulcher est, quam dulcis est hic fructus arboris, quam bonus est.
Heva, tolle, carpe pomum, gustefructum arboris. Visu pulcher, tactu blandus, gusta dulcis fructus est.
By no means, by no means will you die, but you will be as God, knowing good and evil.
How lovely it is, how sweet is the fruit of the tree here, how good it is!
Eve, pick, seize the apple, taste the fruit of the tree.
Lovely to see, pleasant to touch, sweet to taste is the fruit!
5
HEVA
Ergo erimus sicut Deus scientes bonum et malum?
Will we then be as God, knowing good and evil?
SERPENS
Bonum et malum sicut Deus sic scienteseritis.
Dulcis scientia, filia, divinitas quae nos caelicolum aequabit Domino.
Yes, you will be as God, knowing good and evil.
Sweet knowledge is the divintiy that will make as equal to the Lord of those who dwell in the Heaven.
À DUE
Vere pulcher, vere dulcis, vere fructus bonus est, vere fructus bonus est.
Truly lovely, truly sweet, truly good is the fruit, truly good is the fruit!
HEVA
Age pulchrum, Adam, pomum, dulce pomum comede, Heva pomum quod comedit. Heva pomum porigit.
Come, Adam, eat the lovely apple, the sweet apple, the apple that Eve ate.
Eve is offering you the apple.
ADAM
Moriemur, moriemur hoc si fructu vescimur,moriemur Adam, morti commeratus est Deus.
We will die, we will die if we feed upon this fruit, we will die!
HEVA
Ada, quid dubitas, quid dubitas? Ubi mors est si fructus arboris tam dulcis est?
Adam, why to you hesitate, why hesitate? Where is death if the fruit of the tree is so sweet?
ADAM
Dulcis hic igitur fructus est arboris? Non hic mors est si fructus arboris tam dulcis est.
So the fruit of the tree here is sweet? Death is not here if the fruit of the tree is so sweet.
À DUE
Comedamus ergo, comedamus ergo pomum, dulce pomum arboris.
Non hic mors est si fructus arboris tam dulcis est.
Then let me eat, then let us eat the apple, the tree’s sweet apple.
Death is not here if the fruit of the tree is so sweet.
TEXTUS (À QUATTRO)
O amara dulcitudo, o voluptas paricida! Dulce pomum quod venanat, quod mortales funerat.
Heva gustat, gustat Adam, et cum Heva et cum Adam, heu nos omnes funerat!
O bitter sweetness, o traitorous pleasure! Sweet apple that poisons, that kills mortal beings.
Eve tastes, and Adam, and along with Eve, along with Adam – alas! – it kills us all.
6 15
TEXTUS - TENOR
Indignatus est autem et nolebat introire; pater autem coepit rogare illum.
He was angry, however, and refused to go in; so his father began to admonish him.
PATER
"Filli mi, ingredere epulare nobiscum; tu quoque gaude et laetare."
―My son, come in and feast with us; you, too, rejoice and be glad.‖
TEXTUS - À TRE
Iam cinge novis lumina radiis, iam cinge novis pectora gaudiis.
Now adorn your eyes with fresh smiles, now adorn your heart with fresh joys.
FILIUS SENIOR
"Pater mi, ecce tot annis servio tibi et mandatum tuum non praeterivi.
Nunquam dedisti mihi haedum, et huic occidisti vitulum saginatum."
―My Father, lo! I serve you for so many years, and I have not forgotten your commandment.
Never have you given me a goat, but you have killed the fatted calf for him.‖
PATER
"Fili mi, tu semper mecum es et omnia mea tua; gaudere oportebat
quia frater tuus mortuus erat et revixit, perierat et inventus est."
―My son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours; it was fitting to rejoice since
your brother was dead and is now alive, was lost and now is found.‖
TEXTUS - SOPRANO, À QUATTRO
Mundi linquite vincula, mundi spernite commoda.
Abandon the world’s chains, spurn the world’s rewards.
Ad cor reddite, reddite iam, vocat Deus. Adherere Deo bonum est.
Turn again to your heart, now turn again, God bids. It is good to cling to God.
Frustra delicias amat, frustra delicias cupit perque lusus, perque risus, frustra vagatur orbe mens.
It is vain for the mind to love pleasure, vain to want pleasure by way of amusements, by way of laughter,
vain to wander around the earth.
Ad cor reddite, reddite iam, vocat Deus. Adherere Deo bonum est.
Turn again to your heart, now turn again, God bids. It is good to cling to God.

TEXTUS - À QUATTRO
Exultemus quia mortuus erat et revixit, perierat et inventus est.
Let us rejoice, because he was dead and is alive, he was lost and is found.
TEXTUS - TENOR
Et epulabantur et laudabunt Dominum in hymnis et canticis et cytharis.
And they feasted and praised the Lord in hymns and songs upon the harp.
TEXTUS - À TRE
O fletus felices o planctus beati, qui vultus rigatis parentis et nati; fugate iam fletus,
querelas fugate; iam parens et natus iam visus invenit.
O happy weeping, o blessed mourning that makes wet the faces of parent and child; now cease your
weeping, cease your grieving; now both parent and child have found their vision.
O fontes felices, pupilla beata, qui visus rigatis parentis nati fugate iam fletus,
amplexus amate, iam parens et natus iam visus invenit.
O happy sources of water, blessed pupils, that make wet the sight of parent and child, now cease
weeping, cherish embracing, now that parent and child see each other again.
TEXTUS - À QUATTRO
Gaudium est in caelo, super uno peccatore poenitentiam agente.
There is joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents.
—— Pars secunda ——
TEXTUS - TENOR
Erat autem filius senior in agro et, cum adpropinquaret, audivit symphoniam et chorum.
Now the elder son was in the field, and when he approached the house,
he heard the music and dancing.
TEXTUS - À TRE
Satis errorum, satis maerorum! Annecte propero iam collo vincula.
Enough wandering, enough sorrowing! Quickly circle his neck with gold chains.
Optata proles, cur tantum doles? Accurre propero iam pacis oscula.
Chosen offspring, why do you fret so much? Quickly bestow the kiss of peace.
FILIUS SENIOR
"Quid hoc audio? Symphoniam audio in domo Patris mei. Quid haec sunt? Indica, indica mihi!"
―Why do I hear this? I hear music in my father’s house. What is all this? Tell me, tell me!‖
PATER
"Frater tuus venit et gaudet pater, quia salvum illum recepit."
―Your brother has come home, and your father rejoices because he has received him home safe.‖
14
—— Pars secunda ——
DEUS
Adam, Adam, ubi es, ubi es Adam?
Adam, Adam, where are you, where are you, Adam?
ADAM
Vocem tuam, Domine, audivi in Paradiso et timui eo quod nudus essem et abscondi me.
Your voice, O Lord, I heard in the garden, and I feared it because I am naked, and I hid myself.
DEUS
Nudus es, et te abscondes? Cur mandatum violasti? Cur de fructo comedisti quod praeceperam ne tangere?
You are naked and are hiding yourself? Why have you broken my commandment?
Why have you eaten of the fruit that I forbade you to touch?
ADAM
Mulier quam dedisti mihi sociam dedit mihi de ligno et comedi.
The woman whom you gave me for a companion gave it to me from the tree and I did eat.
DEUS
Quare, Heva, quare pomum comedisti? Et quare Adam tradidisti?
Why, Eve, why did you eat the fruit? And why did you give it to Adam?
HEVA
Serpens callidus, serpens callidus, decepit me; pulcrum visu, tactu blandum, dulce gustu, pomum tradidit.
Ille dictis, ille dictis me decepit serpens callidus.
The cunning serpent, the cunning serpent deceived me; an apple lovely to see, pleasant to touch,
sweet to taste he gave me. With words, with words, the cunning serpent deceived me.
DEUS
Maledictus eris serpens et super te descendet maledictio; super pectus gradieris et pulverem comedis.
Inimicus eris feminae et insidiaberis calcaneo eius, ipsa vera conteret caput tuum.
You will be cursed, serpent, and upon you a curse will come:
you shall go upon your belly and dust shall you eat. You will be the woman’s enemy,
and you will ambush her heel, and she will bruise your head.
TEXTUS - À DUE
O mendacem, o protervum anguem, Hevae deceptorem, repertorum scelerum.
Reptabis putore, tellurem comedis, tibi cum femina non erit pax.
Dum tu calcaneo insidiabris, cervicem tumidam calcabit pes.
O lying, shameless snake, Eve’s deceiver, inventor of sins!
You will crawl and smell, you will eat earth, there will be no peace for you with the women.
Though you will ambush her heel, her foot will trample your proud neck.
7
TEXTUS – BASSO
In aerumnis, Heva, vives, et conceptam sinu prolem in dolore paries. Viro servies et ipse in te dominabitur.
You will dwell in hardship, Eve, and in sorrow you will bring forth the offspring
conceived in your womb. You will serve your husband, and he will be your master.
TEXTUS – SOPRANO
Vives, semper in aerumnis et conceptam Hevae prolem, in dolore paries,
Ne viro pare, viro servi, servi semper nunquam impera.
You will always live in hardship and you will bear Eve’s offspring in sorrow.
Never think yourself your husband’s equal, serve your husband, always serve him, never rule him.
DEUS
Maledicta terra in opere tuo, Adam, maledicta terra sit, terrae fructus in labore, in sudore comedis.
Tibi tribulos et spinas terra semper germinet donec moriens in terra revertaris pulverem.
Quia sumptus es de terra, quia pulvis, Adam, es
Cursed by the ground when you work it, Adam, cursed by the ground;
in labor, in sweat will you eat the fruits of the earth.
For you the earth will bring forth thorns and thistles until, dying, you return to dust in the earth.
For you were taken from the earth and, Adam, you are dust.
TEXTUS – SOPRANO
Terrae fructus in labore, semper, Adam, comedis,
Terra tribulos et spinas tibi semper, semper germinet, donec moriens in terra revertaris pulverem.
Quia sumptus es de terra, quia pulvis, Adam, es.
By labor always, Adam, you will eat the earth’s fruits.
Always, always the earth will bring forth thorns and thistles until, dying, you return to dust in the earth.
For you were taken from the earth and, Adam, you are dust.
TEXTUS - À DUE
O dolentis, o gementis, o mortalium parentis, paricidas miseros! Tristis Adam morietur,
morietur Heva gemens, et labores et dolores ad sepulcrum inferant.
O grieving, o sighing, parents of humankind, miserable traitors! Adam will die in sadness,
Eve will die sighing, and labors and griefs will take them to the grave.
TEXTUS - À QUATTRO
Pauca pomi dulcitudo, quanta, quanta amaritudo heu, heu, facta cunctis est!
How little sweetness, how much, how much bitterness – alas, alas! – an apple brought to all!
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L’Oratorio Filii prodigii Bonifazio Graziani
—— Pars prima ——
TEXTUS - TENOR
Homo quidam habuit duos filios et dixit adulescentior patri,
A certain man had two sons, and the younger one said to his father,
FILIUS PRODIGI
"Rogo te, Pater mi, da mihi portionem substantiae quae mihi contingit, Pater, Pater mi."
―I beg you, my Father, give me the share of property that falls to me, Father, my Father.‖
PATER
"Accipe, fili, portionem substantiae tuae et vade quocunque, quocunque volueris."
―Receive, Son, the share of property that is yours and go wherever, wherever you wish.‖
TEXTUS – TENOR
Et peregre profectus est, et dissipavit substantiam et facta est fames valida, in se autem reversus dixit,
And he set out for a faraway land and wasted his property, and a great famine arose;
but, having come to himself, he said,
FILIUS PRODIGI
"Quanti mercennarii in domo patris mei abundant panibus;
ego autem hic fame pereo, surgam et ibo ad patrem meum."
―How many of the hired servants in my father’s house have plenty of bread;
I, however, am dying of hunger here, and I will go to my father.‖
TEXTUS - TENOR
Surrexit et venit ad Patrem suum.
He arose and went to his father.
FILIUS PRODIGI
"Pater peccavi in caelum et coram te, iam non sum dignus vocari filius tuus,
fac me sicut unum de mercennariis tuis. Parce, parce Peccavi, Pater, respice maestae funere vitae.
Heu! cadentem suscipe natum. Heu! dolentem exuo vitam. Peccavi, parce, ah parce."
Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you; I am now unworthy to be called your son;
treat me as one of your hired servants. Spare me, spare me. I have sinned, Father,
pity the wreck of a wretched life. Alas, rescue your fallen son.
Alas, I draw out a life of grief. I have sinned, spare me, ah spare me.‖
PATER
"Fili mi, da mihi osculum, fili mi. Cito profere stolam primam et date anulum in manum eius
et manducemus et epulemur, quia filius meus mortuus erat et revixit, perierat et inventus est."
―My son, look at me, my son. Quickly, bring the best robe and put a ring on his hand and let us eat
and let us feast, because my son was dead and now lives, he was lost and now is found.‖
 Mottetto Super flumina Babilonis Giacomo Carissimi (1605 - 1674)
Therefore, remember, o nations!
How greatly the instability of mortal things turns us about
and all at once brings down to the depths the heads of those who reign. Super flumina Babylonis illic sedimus et flevimus dum recordaremur tuis Sion.
Therefore, o nations, remember! By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and wept when we remembered Sion.
À due Cantate nobis canticum Domini dicite verba cantionem Israel.
Fortunae mendacis tenor instabilis, et muni fallacis favor mutabilis, et vitae fugacis spes variabilis, Sing for us the Lord’s song, speak the words of the songs of Israel.
nunc funestas, nunc felices, alternat vices, et gyro ancipiti, cursu praecipiti cum in sublime rapitur, subito labitur.
Quomodo cantabimus canticum Domini in terra aliena?
The wavering course of deceitful fortune, and the mutable favor of false show, and the variable
hope of fleeting life change now into mournful, now into happy times, and in their alternating How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?
cycles are taken quickly up on high but suddenly, suddenly come tumbling down. Precinite nobis cantica Jerusalem in voce iucunditatis et exultationis.
Sing forth for us the songs of Jerusalem in a voice of joy and exaltation.
Bass Adherit lingua mea faucibus meis.
Felix ille qui labiles mundi descipit glorias, superbientis aulae non elatus favoribus, My tongue clears to the roof of my mouth.
non inflatus honoribus, sed soli Dei gratiae, soli caeli praesidio securo corde nititur.
Laboravi clamans raucae factae sunt fauces meae.
Happy is he who has renounced the slippery glories of the world, who has not been lifted up by
the favors of a haughty palace, not been puffed up with honors, but who with a firm heart strives I have cried out as I labored; my voice has become hoarse.
for the grace of God alone and for the certain aid of Heaven. Sumite psalmum et date tympanum, psalterium iucundum cum cithara et organis.
Render us a psalm and give us the drum, the joyous psaltery, with the harp and other instruments.
Mottetto Parce heu, parce iam Giacomo Carissimi Suspendimus organa nostra, versa est in luctum cithara nostra.
Parce heu, parce iam, O Jesu mi, We have hung up our instruments, our harps are turned to mourning.
Spare, alas, spare now, O my Jesus, Bucinate in neomenia tuba in organis et cimbalis iubilationis.
nostra peccata quaeso, Blow on the horn, play on the instruments and cymbals of rejoicing.
our sins, I pray, Canite tuba, pulsate tympano et psalite cordis et organo.
quia nos redemisti tuo proprio sanguine. Sound the trumpet, beat the drum, and play upon the strings and the organ.
because you have redeemed us with your very own blood.
Ne nos obliviscaris in hac lachrymarum valle, L’Oratorio Baltazar Assyriorum Rex Giacomo Carissimi
Do not forget us in the vale of tears,
ah, dulcis Jesu Christe. —— Pars prima ——
ah, sweet Jesus Christ. Historicus – Tenor
Sine tuo iuvamini damnati sumus,
Baltazar, Assyriorum rex opulentissimus, optimatibus suis mille splendidum apparavit convivium,
Without your help we are lost. superbo luxu et lautissimis epulis magnifice instructum;
parce heu, parce iam, O Jesu mi. dulcisonis interim cytharaedorum vocibus plaudentibus et tale carmen modulantibus:
Spare us, alas, spare us now, O my Jesus. Belshazzar, most opulent kind of the Assyrians, prepared for a thousand of his lords a magnificant feast,
Felix est ille qui credit solum in te Domine, splendidly laid on with superb elegance and the most sumptuous dishes, with the sweet sounding voices of
Happy is he who trusts only in you, Lord. the harpers, from time to time, applauding and peforming a song such as this:
Sit vera fides, sit verum gaudium. Soprano
May that be the true faith, the true joy. Inter epulas canori exultantes sonent chori regis nostri, regis nostri gaudia.
Omnia vanitas est in hoc mundo. Agant plausus convivales, mensae nitent dum regales oneratae dapibus.
All is vanity in this world. Leves saltus, molles luctus blanda suscitet voluptas ad sonantem cytharam.
Parce heu, parce iam, O Jesu mi. Between courses, let melodious choruses exultantly sound the joys of our King, our King.
Spare us, alas, spare us now, O my Jesus. Let the guests clap their hands, let the royal tables glow, loaded with dainties.
Let charming delight of the sounding harp stir up light–footed leaps and tender meanings.

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À cinque
Regi nostro complaudamus. Praecinamus, collaetemur, gratulemur, et convivale carmen modulemur.
Together let us laud our King. Let us sing out, let us rejoice together, let us give thanks,
and let us sing forth a festive song.
Curae tristes procul este; loci risus, huc adeste,laeta laetaque tripudia.
Rixae truces, hic silete lites improbae; valete; corda pax exhilaret.
Sad concerns, go hence; come hither, happy laughter and happy dancing.
Rowdy brawls, here be silent; evil thoughts, farewell; let peace gladden hearts.
Soprano
Hic dum floret nobis aetas, ne ponamus gulae metas, satiemur epulis.
Rosis caput coronemus, calicesque propinemus dulci plenos nectare.
Molle corpus ut pinguescat, hic post dapes conquiescat, blando fruens otio.
Now while youth is in flower for us, let us put no stop to our appetite.
Let us be filled with fine dishes. Let us crown the head with roses, let us fill our cups with sweet nectar.
That the soft body may grow plump, may it rest here after the feast, enjoying sweet leisure.
Alto
Procul maestus eat questus, procul flentes eant gentes; sola regnent gaudia.
Away, mournful complaining; away, weeping people; may joy only reign.
À due
Regi nostro complaudamus, grates debitas agamus, qui convivio tam laeto, lautis epulis repleto, hodie nos recreat.
Together let us laud our King, let us gratefully thank the one who today restores us
with such a happy banquet, replete with fine dishes.
À cinque
Regi nostro complaudamus. Praecinamus collaetemur gratulemur et convivale carmen modulemur.
Together let us laud our King. Let us sing out, let us rejoice together,
let us give thanks, and let us sing forth a festive song.
—— Pars secunda ——
Historicus – Tenor
Et ecce, inter laetantium convivarum cantica et plausus, subito apparuerunt digiti,
quasi manus hominis scribentes contra candelabrum in superficie parietis aulae regiae.
Quod ut vidit rex, statim commutata est facies eius et totus praetimore contremiscens exclamavit dicens:
And lo! in the midst of the songs and the applause of the rejoicing banqueters,
suddenly there appeared fingers like those of a man’s hand,
writing opposite the candlesticks on the surface of the royal palace’s wall.
As soon as the King saw this, his face changed all at once,
and totally filled with fear, he spoke out, saying:
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Baltazar – Bass
Heu, heu, quae dira cerno prodigia, heu quae portenta!
Ite, ite, agite, aulae meae proceres, et introducite ad me magos et Chaldeos,
et quicumque ex eis legerit et interpretatus fuerit scripturam hanc, purpura vestietur, et torquem auream habebit.
Alas, alas, what awful omens do I see, alas, what portents! Go, go, go, lords of my palace,
fetch me magicians and chaldeans, and whoever among them can read and interpret this writing will be
dressed in purple garments and will have a gold chain about his neck.
Historicus – Soprano
Statim ergo ingressi omnes sapientes et haruspices Regis, non potuerunt nec scripturam legere, nec eam interpretari.
Suadente autem regina, introductus est Daniel, et quem rex ait:
Immediately, then, all the wise men and diviners of the King came in but were not able
to read the writing or to interpret it. But at the suggestion of the queen,
Daniel was introduced and the King spoke this to him:
Baltazar – Bass
Audivi de te, Daniel, quod spiritum deorum habeas et multa polleas sapientia et doctrina. Age, age ergo,
scripturam hanc prelege, et si mihi veram eius interpretationem indicaversis, magna a me praemia promereberis.
I have heard about you, Daniel, that you possess the spirit of the gods and that you are endowed
with much wisdom and doctrine. Therefore, go, go, read this writing,
and if you give me a true interpretation of it, you will obtain from me many rewards.
Daniel – Soprano
Scripturam hanc legem, o rex et eius interpretationem tibi enarrabo. Deus altissimus, quia non humiliasti cor tuum ante
illum, hodie humiliabit, in conspectu gentium; haec autem est verborum interpretatio:
Mane: numeravit Deus regnum tuum et complevit illud.
Thecel: appensus es instanter, et inventus es minus habens.
Phares: divisum est regnum tuum et datum est Medis et Persis.
I will read this writing, O King, and I will tell you its interpretation. The Most High God, because you
have not humbled your heart before him, today will humble it in the sight of the nations; moreover,
this is the interpretation of the words:
Mane: God has numbered your Kingdom and has ended it.
Thecel: You have been seriously weighed and found wanting.
Phares: Your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and the Persians.
Historicus – Tenor, Alto
Tunc, iubente rege, indutus est Daniel purpura et torque aurea ornatus.
Eadem autem nocte interfectus est rex, et regnum eius datum est Persis et Medis ut Daniel praedixerat.
Then, at the king’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple and adorned with a gold chain.
Moreover, that same night the king was slain, and his kingdom was given
to the Persians and the Medes, as Daniel had prophesied.
À cinque
Hinc, ediscite, o gentes!
Quanta rerum mortalium nos verset inconstantia, quae capita regnantia statim ad ima detrahit!
Hinc, o gentes, ediscite
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