Judith

Although Arne’s Judith of 1761 was commended by Charles Dibdin as an oratorio ‘that does honour to the English genius’, and was long recognised as an important adjunct of the Handelian form and perhaps the finest such work by a native composer before Elgar, the difficulty of establishing an authoritative performing version of the composer’s only surviving work in the genre has undoubtedly contributed to its neglect. Here published in a complete, critical edition for the first time, it seems entirely fitting that this true cultural monument of 18th-century Britain should be celebrated with the hundredth volume of Musica Britannica.

Performing material to accompany this volume is now available

For two soprano, countertenor, tenor and bass soloists and SATB chorus, with two flutes, two oboes, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets in C and E flat, timpani, harp, strings and continuo (harpsichord/organ).