Programme Notes

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART 1756-1791

MOTET: 'EXSULTATE, JUBILATE' K 165/158a

GILLIAN KEITH, soprano

It was the established custom in Mozart's time for composers to write for specific, individual voices, and the Motet Exsultate, jubilate, one of his most beguiling works for solo soprano and orchestra, is just such a composition. The occasion was the young Mozart's third and final visit to Italy. Not quite seventeen, he was now in the salaried employment of the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg, Count Colloredo, with the title Concertmaster. But he was still the famous young prodigy, accustomed to travelling the capitals of Europe under the unwearying management of his father Leopold Mozart, and the Mozart entourage was given leave to visit Milan for the production of the opera Wolfgang Amadeus had begun to write, Lucio Silla. This minor opera seria had a tedious and difficult birth. The librettist, Giovanni de Gammerra, was prone to second thoughts. Singers had to be changed at the last minute, and the prima donna, Anna Lucia de Amicis, with whom Mozart was well pleased, tested his patience by insisting on being given 'better' (ie, more ostentatiously difficult) music. On opening night the audience was kept waiting three hours: the opera¹s noble patrons explained they had important letters to write, and the performance dragged on twice as long again.

Nevertheless Lucio Silla was a success, and Mozart was especially delighted with the vocal talents of the principal bass, Rauzzini, whose entrance, incidentally, had brought a personal salvo of applause from the Archduchess of Milan. The Motet we hear tonight was written soon afterwards for the demanding de Amicis, a bewitching tribute to what must have been an exceptional voice. The work falls into three sections, suggesting a miniature symphony with the singer as solo instrument, and it concludes with a brilliant and joyous Alleluia. The Motet is scored for a small accompanying orchestra of two oboes, two horns and strings.

'Exsultate, jubilate'

Exsultate, jubilate

Rejoice, be glad,

o vos animae beatae,

O ye blessed spirits,

dulcia cantica canendo;

Singing dulcet songs;

cantui vostro respondendo

Echoing your notes,

psallant aethera cum me.

The heavens join with me.

Fulget amica dies,

Now shines the friendly day,

iam fugere et nubila et procellae;

Both cloud and storm have fled;

exortus est justis inexspectata quies.

A sudden calm has risen for the just.

Undique obscura regnabat nox;

All around, dark night was reigning;

surgite tandem laeti

Arise at last with joy

qui timuistis adhuc,

Ye who were afraid,

et jucundi aurorae fortunatae

And rejoicing in the happy dawn

frondes dextera plena

With generous hand

et lilia date.

Give leaves and lilies.

Tu virginum corona,

Thou, queen of virgins,

Tu nobis pacem dona,

Give us peace,

Tu consolare affectus

Thou, console us,

ubde suspirat cor.

Ease our heavy hearts.

Alleluia...

Alleluia...

Programme Notes by Paul Vaughan ©

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