Joseph (opera)

"Joseph" (sometimes known as "Joseph en Égypte") is an opera in three acts by the French composer Étienne Méhul. The libretto, by Alexandre Duval, is based on the Biblical story of Joseph and his brothers. The work was first performed at the Opéra-Comique, Paris on 17 February 1807. It mixes musical numbers with spoken dialogue in the manner of an "opéra comique".

Background and performance history

In writing "Joseph", Méhul and his librettist were probably trying to exploit the contemporary vogue for operas on religious themes and the French fascination for Egypt after Napoleon's expedition to the country in 1798. The work was a critical success and in 1810 it was awarded a prize for the best piece staged at the Opéra-Comique in the previous decade. Nevertheless, its popularity with Parisian audiences did not last and it was more favourably received in Germany throughout the 19th century, where it was often performed as an oratorio (the many choral and ensemble numbers outweigh those for the soloists). Carl Maria von Weber praised the score, which he conducted in Dresden in 1817.

In "Joseph", Méhul "used a self-consciously austere style, the musical counterpart of the pure and noble faith of the Hebrews". [Meyer p.60] Berlioz discussed the opera in his "Evenings with the Orchestra", where he describes the music "almost throughout" as "simple, touching, rich in felicitous, though not very daring modulations, full of broad and vibrant harmonies and graceful figures in the accompaniment, while its expression is always true." [Berlioz "Evenings with the Orchestra", translated by Jacques Barzun (1999 ed., University of Chicago Press) p.353] He later qualifies this, writing that in "Joseph" "simplicity is carried to a point which it is dangerous to approach so closely [...] in its learned soberness [the] orchestra lacks colour, energy, movement, and the indescribable something which gives life. Without adding a single instrument to those Méhul, it would, I think, have been possible to give the whole the qualities one regrets not finding in it." [Berlioz p.355]

Joseph's tenor aria, "A peine au sortir de l'enfance...Champs paternels", has been recorded by many singers, including Georges Thill, Richard Tauber (in German) and Roberto Alagna.

Roles

There are no female characters in the opera, but the role of Benjamin is for a soprano playing "en travesti".

ynopsis

Act One

Many years ago, Joseph the Israelite, the favourite son of Jacob, was sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers. Nevertheless, he found favour with the Egyptian pharaoh and rose to become one of the leading men in the country under the assumed name Cleophas. Now famine is afflicting Israel and Joseph's brothers arrive at his palace in Memphis to beg for food. Simeon believes it is a punishment for their treatment of Joseph. The brothers do not recognise Joseph, who gives them a warm welcome.

Act Two

Having learned that his father has come to Egypt with his sons, Joseph visits his brothers' tents by night. He catches a glimpse of Jacob sleeping and finds Simeon full of remorse for his crime. At dawn, the Israelites join in prayer. Joseph decides to reveal his identity to his family but is dissuaded by his adviser Utobal.

Act Three

Joseph goes to defend himself to the pharaoh against accusations that he has been too kind to the foreigners. Meanwhile, Simeon tells his father the truth about what he and his brothers did to Joseph. Jacob angrily denounces them but Joseph and Benjamin (the only innocent son) plead for mercy for the guilty brothers. When Jacob relents, Joseph finally reveals his true identity and tells them that the pharaoh has granted them all sanctuary in Egypt.

Recordings

*"Joseph" (as "Joseph in Aegypten"), two versions of the work (in German, without dialogue) both recorded in 1955: (a) Alexander Welitsch/Libero di Luca/ Horst Guenter/Ursula Zollenkopf, Symphony Orchestra and Choir of NWDR, Wilhelm Schuechter; (b) Alexander Welitsch/Josef Traxel/Bernhard Michaelis/Friederike Sailer, Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra, Suedfunk Chor, Alfons Rischner. Gala, 2004.

References

ources

*"Viking Opera Guide" ed. Holden (Viking, 1993)
* [http://www.amadeusonline.net/almanacco.php?Start=0&Giorno=17&Mese=02&Anno=1807&Giornata=&Testo=&Parola=Stringa Amadeus Online]
* [http://www.delteatro.it/dizionario_dell_opera/j/joseph.php Del Teatro (in Italian)]
*Booklet notes by Andrew Palmer to the Gala recording.
*Stephen C. Meyer "Carl Maria Von Weber and the Search for a German Opera" (Indiana University Press, 2003)