Title: Agnus Dei

Oratorio Title: Mass in B Minor

Composer: J. S. Bach
Librettist: taken from the Roman Catholic liturgy
Name of Poet of Aria Text (if different from librettist):
Nature of Text (subject matter; where it fits into oratorio story, etc.):
Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy upon
us It is towards the end of the mass, but is not the final thing as it
would be in the Mass Ordinary. Bach brings back identical music from
the Gloria and recalls the thanks expressed in Gratias agimus tibi to
end the mass.
Range of Aria: A3-Eb5
Nature of Aria: (slow and sustained; florid; generally stepwise melody;
wide leaps,
etc.) There are wide leaps throughout the aria. However, there are
many moments of stepwise melody. It is a slow piece with a lot of
movement.
Difficulty of Aria: This aria seems to be difficult due to the constant
melodic movement, slow tempo, and wide leaps.
Include to what approximate college-level student (exs. college
freshman;
graduate student) This seems to be an aria for an older student
(college senior/graduate student) who has good breath support.
Remarks /Observations: The aria itself was is a parody of an earlier lost
wedding serenade Entfernet euch, ihr kalten Herzen.

Title: But who may bide

Oratorio Title: Messiah
Composer: George Frideric Handel
Librettist: Charles Jennens, drawn from various biblical sources and the
Prayer Book Psalter
Name of Poet of Aria Text (if different from librettist):
Nature of Text (subject matter; where it fits into oratorio story, etc.):
This aria appears in Part I of III in the work. It is in the second scene,
The coming judgment. It is a human reaction to the words of God. It
was intended to show the trembling in the expectation of the Lords
appearance twofold in a dramatic scene. The text comes from Malachi
3:2 But who may abide the day of His coming, and who shall stand
when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner's fire.
Range of Aria: G3-E5
Nature of Aria: (slow and sustained; florid; generally stepwise melody;
wide leaps,
etc.) There are two different sections. There is the beginning larghetto
section. This part is slow with syllabic movement until the end of the
section when Handel uses melismatic writing. The second section is
labeled prestissimo. This section has a great deal of melismatic writing.
There are forceful downward runs, leaps, and trills of the voice that are
used to express an urgency in the text.
Difficulty of Aria: This aria is advanced difficulty due to the range and
melody throughout.
Include to what approximate college-level student (exs. college
freshman;
graduate student) This aria is appropriate for older students
(junior/senior college or graduate student).
Remarks /Observations: The piece was originally written for a bass and
without the prestissimo section. He initially set the text as recitative.

Title: O thou that tellest good tidings to Zio

Oratorio Title: Messiah
Composer: G. F. Handel
Librettist: Charles Jennens, drawn from various biblical sources and the
Prayer Book Psalter
Name of Poet of Aria Text (if different from librettist):
Nature of Text (subject matter; where it fits into oratorio story, etc.):
The recitative text is drawn from Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23. The
arias text comes from Isaiah 40:9 and Isaiah 60:1. This aria takes
place in scene 3 (Part I) which addresses Isaiahs specific prophecy
about the virgin birth of a Messiah by expanding more verses from
different chapters of the prophet. This aria is meant to seem like the
good news is spreading.
Range of Aria: A3-B4
Nature of Aria: (slow and sustained; florid; generally stepwise melody;
wide leaps,
etc.) There is a great deal of stepwise motion throughout the piece.
There are few leaps. There are long, moving passages in various spots.
The leaps are not many and seem to be no greater than a fourth. The
words mountain and glory are accented by use of coloraturas. The
words God and Lord are set in long notes.
Difficulty of Aria: This aria seems to be of medium-difficulty because it
does have a lot of stepwise motion as well as short phrases and a small
range.
Include to what approximate college-level student (exs. college
freshman;
graduate student) This could be performed by a student as young as a
sophomore in college.

Remarks /Observations: The chorus continues the piece at the

conclusion of the solo. The recitative is incredibly short.

Title: He was despised

Oratorio Title: Messiah
Composer: G. F. Handel
Librettist: Charles Jennens, drawn from various biblical sources and the
Prayer Book Psalter
Name of Poet of Aria Text (if different from librettist):
Nature of Text (subject matter; where it fits into oratorio story, etc.):
This aria is in Part II of III and is in scene 1. It is the longest scene of the
oratorio and reflects the Passion. The text is from Isaiah 53:1,3, and 6.
He was despised, rejected of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted
with grief. He gave his Back to the smiters and His cheeks to them that
plucked off the hair: He hid not His face from shame and spiting.
Range of Aria: Bb3-C5
Nature of Aria: (slow and sustained; florid; generally stepwise melody;
wide leaps,
etc.) It is the longest movement in the oratorio in terms of duration. It
is a da capo aria, showing two contrasting moods. It is majority
stepwise motion with some octave and fourth leaps.
Difficulty of Aria: This piece is of medium difficulty due to the small
range and dominant stepwise motion.
Include to what approximate college-level student (exs. college
freshman;
graduate student) This piece should be reserved for students that are
college sophomores and up.

Remarks /Observations: Handel never rewrote this movement.

Title: Erbarme dich, mein Gott

Oratorio Title: Passio Secundum Matthum (St. Matthew Passion)
Composer: J. S. Bach
Librettist: Christian Friedrich Henrici, probable that only the free text
poems were by him, with biblical narrative from the Gospel of Matthew
and some chorale texts by the composer
Name of Poet of Aria Text (if different from librettist):
Nature of Text (subject matter; where it fits into oratorio story, etc.): A
free text that comes after Peters third denial in the structure of the
Passion. Have mercy on me, my God, for the sake of my tears; look
here, heart and eyes weep for you bitterly.
Range of Aria: B3-E5
Nature of Aria: (slow and sustained; florid; generally stepwise melody;
wide leaps,
etc.) This aria is slow with a tempo marking of largo. It does not have
any particularly wide leaps but often has thirds moving up and
stepwise motion when coming back down. The piece is actually in 12/8
which leads to Bch arranging 8th notes in runs of triplets.
Difficulty of Aria: This aria is of advanced difficulty due to the slow
tempo and the number of pitches within a given phrase, which tend to
be quite long.

Include to what approximate college-level student (exs. college

freshman;
graduate student) This would be appropriate for an older student
(senior in college/graduate student).
Remarks /Observations:

Title: Laudamus te
Oratorio Title: Mass in C Minor
Composer: W. A. Mozart
Librettist: traditional Latin Mass from the Roman Catholic liturgy
Name of Poet of Aria Text (if different from librettist):
Nature of Text (subject matter; where it fits into oratorio story, etc.):
We praise Thee, we bless thee, we adore Thee, we glorify Thee. It is
sung in the Gloria section, right after the chorus sings Gloria in excelsis
Deo.
Range of Aria: A3-A5
Nature of Aria: (slow and sustained; florid; generally stepwise melody;
wide leaps,
etc.) This is an uptempo piece with a tempo marking of allegro aperto.
There is a great deal of stepwise motion with occasional leaps of thirds
and fourths. The melody is melismatic with the phrase lengths
constantly changing.
Difficulty of Aria: This aria seems to be of advanced-difficulty due to
the change in phrase lengths and melismatic writing.

Include to what approximate college-level student (exs. college

freshman;
graduate student) This piece should be reserved for students at a
senior college level or higher.
Remarks /Observations: This role is technically for a second soprano
but may be sung by a mezzo-soprano. The range is higher than the
other arias in the anthology. The work is incomplete because there is
no Agnus Dei and the Sanctus section is fragmentary.

Title: O rest in the Lord

Oratorio Title: Elijah
Composer: Mendelssohn
Librettist: Julius Schubring, after I Kings 17-19, II Kings 2, and other
biblical passages
Name of Poet of Aria Text (if different from librettist):
Nature of Text (subject matter; where it fits into oratorio story, etc.):
This piece is from Part II of II. It follows The text are the words spoken
to Elijah after he has fled into the wilderness for a day. It is based on
Psalm 38.
Range of Aria: B3-D5
Nature of Aria: (slow and sustained; florid; generally stepwise melody;
wide leaps,
etc.) The aria has a tempo marking of andantino which allows the piece
to move without becoming too fast. There is a great deal of stepwise

motion with occasional large leaps used throughout the piece. It is very
much a syllabic piece.
Difficulty of Aria: This aria is of medium-difficulty due to the short
length of the piece and the short phrases despite the fact that there
are some large leaps throughout the piece.
Include to what approximate college-level student (exs. college
freshman;
graduate student) This piece could be done by a student as early as
sophomore year of college.
Remarks /Observations:

Title: Woe unto them who forsake Him

Oratorio Title: Elijah
Composer: Mendelssohn
Librettist: Julius Schubring, after I Kings 17-19, II Kings 2, and other
biblical passages
Name of Poet of Aria Text (if different from librettist):
Nature of Text (subject matter; where it fits into oratorio story, etc.):
From part I of II. It follows Elijahs fiery sermon-aria Is not his word like
a fire? Woe unto them who forsake him! destruction shall fall upon
them: for they have transgressed against Him. Though they are by Him
redeemed, yet they have spoken falsely against Him
Range of Aria: B3-E5

Nature of Aria: (slow and sustained; florid; generally stepwise melody;

wide leaps,
etc.) The song is very slow with a tempo marking of lento. The phrases
are short due to the slow movement. There are not many awkward or
large leaps other than a handful of octave leaps. The song is strictly
syllabic.
Difficulty of Aria: This aria is of medium-difficulty due to the slow
moving phrases and mostly stepwise motion.
Include to what approximate college-level student (exs. college
freshman;
graduate student) This would be appropriate for a lower college
classmen with good breath control.
Remarks /Observations:

Title: Qui sedes ad dextram Patris

Oratorio Title: Gloria
Composer: Antonio Vivaldi
Librettist: Traditional Gloria section from the Latin Mass of the Roman
Catholic liturgy
Name of Poet of Aria Text (if different from librettist):
Nature of Text (subject matter; where it fits into oratorio story, etc.):
Who sits on the right hand of the Father, have mercy upon us. This
solo is towards the end of the oratorio. There are two choruses after
this solo.
Range of Aria: C#4-D5
Nature of Aria: (slow and sustained; florid; generally stepwise melody;
wide leaps,
etc.) This solo has a tempo marking of allegro. It is melismatic with
mainly stepwise motion. The phrases
Difficulty of Aria: This aria is of medium difficulty because it is mainly
stepwise motion at an uptempo pace.
Include to what approximate college-level student (exs. college
freshman;
graduate student) This song would be appropriate for lower college
classmen and up.
Remarks /Observations: There are multiple settings of Vivaldis Gloria.
This is from the RV 589, which is the most popular setting. The song is
written for contralto.

Title: Liber scriptus

Oratorio Title: Messa di Requiem
Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
Librettist: traditional Latin Requiem Mass from the Roman Catholic
liturgy; Requiem is a Mass for the dead
Name of Poet of Aria Text (if different from librettist):
Nature of Text (subject matter; where it fits into oratorio story, etc.):
This solo is in the 2nd section, the Dies irae. The book of scriptures
revealed, wherein everything is contained, from whence comes the
worlds judgement. The judge therefore is seated, indeed, at last things
hidden are made known, nothing unavenged remains.
Range of Aria: B3-Ab5
Nature of Aria: (slow and sustained; florid; generally stepwise melody;
wide leaps,
etc.) This aria has a tempo marking of allegro molto sostenuto. It is
mostly syllabic with many leaps and occasional stepwise motion.
Difficulty of Aria: This aria is of advanced-difficulty. There are wide
leaps and it has such a large range.
Include to what approximate college-level student (exs. college
freshman;
graduate student) This piece would be most appropriate for a graduate
student.
Remarks /Observations:

Title: Et exultavit (No.2)

Oratorio Title: Magnificat in D Major
Composer: J. S. Bach
Librettist:
Name of Poet of Aria Text (if different from librettist):
Nature of Text (subject matter; where it fits into oratorio story, etc.):
This aria is number 2 out of 12. and my spirit has exulted in God my
saviour. The aria is meant to continue the feelings of joy from the first
movement.
Range of Aria: C#4-F#5
Nature of Aria: (slow and sustained; florid; generally stepwise melody;
wide leaps,
etc.) The aria has a tempo marking of andante con moto. The majority
of the piece is melismatic writing with long phrases. There are leaps
throughout the aria, mixed with sections of stepwise motion.
Difficulty of Aria: This aria is of advanced-difficulty.
Include to what approximate college-level student (exs. college
freshman;
graduate student) This aria is best suited for an upper college student
due to the long phrases with constant movement.
Remarks /Observations: This aris is written for a second soprano,
accompanied by the strings.

Title: Esurientes implevit (No. 9)

Oratorio Title: Magnificat in D Major
Composer: J. S. Bach
Librettist:
Name of Poet of Aria Text (if different from librettist):
Nature of Text (subject matter; where it fits into oratorio story, etc.):
This aria is the ninth movement out of 12. The hungry he has filled
with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
Range of Aria: A3-D5
Nature of Aria: (slow and sustained; florid; generally stepwise melody;
wide leaps,
etc.) This aria has a great deal of melismatic movement. It is mainly
stepwise motion. The phrases are occasionally a little long. The tempo
marking is amabile e con tenerezza, which translates to lovingly and
tenderly.
Difficulty of Aria: This aria is of advanced-difficulty because of the long
phrases and constant movement.
Include to what approximate college-level student (exs. college
freshman;
graduate student) This would be ideal for an upper level student due to
the long phrases with constant movement.
Remarks /Observations: This aria is sung by an alto and
accompaniment by two flutes.

Title: Schlafe, mein Liebster

Oratorio Title: Weihnachts-Oratorium
Composer: J. S. Bach
Librettist: Christian Friedrich Henrici
Name of Poet of Aria Text (if different from librettist):
Nature of Text (subject matter; where it fits into oratorio story, etc.):
Text is based on Luke 2:1, 3-12, and Matthew 1:1-12 of the Luther
German Bible. It is part II of VI, Second Christmas Day. Sleep, my
dearest, enjoy the peace, watch after this over the well-being of all!
Refresh the breast, feel the joy, where we our hearts gladden!
Range of Aria: A3-E5
Nature of Aria: (slow and sustained; florid; generally stepwise melody;
wide leaps,
etc.) The aria has a tempo marking of andante. The phrases are long
with long passages of melismatic singing. The majority of the piece has
stepwise motion with occasional big leaps.
Difficulty of Aria: This aria is of advanced-difficulty due to the long
phrases and constant movement.
Include to what approximate college-level student (exs. college
freshman;
graduate student) This would be appropriate for a graduate student.
Remarks /Observations: The music for this aria was taken from Cantata
No. 213, Hercules auf dem Scheidewege (1733).