Judith
From the biblical Book of Judith, here is a beautiful widow on a mission to save the Jewish people and her city, Bethulia, under siege by Assyrian invaders. Using her powers of seduction, Judith infiltrates the Assyrian camp and asks to see General Holofernes, promising to tell him how to conquer Israel without losing any of his men. Blinded by Judith’s beauty and wisdom, Holofernes prepares a feast for her. When left alone with the inebriated Holofernes, Judith murders him with his own sword and takes his head as a trophy.
Croatian National Theatre’s new production of Judith is timed to echo the 500th anniversary of the death in 1524 of Marko Marulić, the father of Croatian literature. Published in 1521, Marulić’s Judita was the first literary epic in Croatian language. Inspired by Marulić, known as the ‘Virgil of Split’, Frano Parać, Croatian composer and academician, composed and wrote his own libretto for this two act opera, which premiered in 2000. It was an immediate popular success and is the most frequently revived of all contemporary Croatian operas. After the world opening night, critic Miljenko Grgić enthused: ‘waves of exaltation at the end of the performance proclaim the genius of Marulić (to whom we owe the literary model) and of Parać, the creator of the opera, whose future is secured by such a magical performance.’ Zagreb’s new production of Judith is directed by Snježana Banović and conducted by Ivan Josip Skender.
CAST
Judith | Sofija Petrović |
|---|---|
Holofernes | Matija Meić |
Uzziah | Stjepan Franetović |
Eliakim | Mate Akrap |
Achior | Ivo Gamulin |
Abra | Emilia Rukavina |
Ruth | Petra Cik |
Bagoas | Marin Čargo |
First Priest | Siniša Galović |
Second Priest | Mario Bokun |
Holofernes' Army – Dancers | Samuele Berbenni Thomas Boddington Vito Križnjak Ovidiu Muscalu Dan Rus Vid Vugrinec |
Guests | Kristina Grubiša Dorotea Ilečić Sever |
Orchestra | Croatian National Theatre Zagreb Orchestra |
Chorus | Croatian National Theatre Zagreb Chorus |
| ... | |
Music | Frano Parać |
|---|---|
Text | Frano Parać Tonko Maroević |
Conductor | Ivan Josip Skender |
Director | Snježana Banović |
Sets | Zlatko Kauzlarić Atač |
Costumes | Dženisa Pecotić |
Choreographer | Blaženka Kovač Carić |
Lights | Deni Šesnić |
Assistant conductor | Davor Kelić |
Assistant director | Kristina Grubiša |
Language coach | Joško Ševo |
Chorus Master | Luka Vukšić |
Adapting libretto into standard Croatian | Mirna Rustemović |
| ... | |
VIDEOS
STORY
Act I
Scene 1
People are praying for the salvation of their town, threatened by Holofernes and his army. Fear reigns among the Bethulians. A prayer begins but is interrupted by loud knocking at the town gates. Uzziah appears with two of his soldiers, bringing in a bound and exhausted Achior. The people gather around them, and Achior begins to recount the terrifying tale of Holofernes and his army, as well as the reasons for his banishment to Bethulia. The story deepens the people’s fear. They pray to God to save them from Holofernes and his fearsome army. High Priest Eliakim orders Uzziah to organize the city's defence. A hectic division of duties ensues. Guards are posted on all roads leading to the town.
Scene 2
The city council, led by Eliakim, summons Uzziah, the city's defender, along with a few of his followers, to discuss their position and decide the town’s fate. Holofernes’ army can be heard in the distance. Eliakim proposes surrendering the town to the enemy to save the lives of the citizens, who are weakened by thirst and hunger, having been under siege by Holofernes’ forces for 34 days. As a last resort, Uzziah suggests postponing the surrender for five days, hoping that God will answer the prayers of the Bethulians and save their town.
Scene 3
People are praying to God on the town square. Among them, a group of priests announces the City Council’s decision to wait for five more days. Judith, who has been praying with the others, hears this and protests, believing it is wrong to impose deadlines on God. She reveals her plan to leave the town walls and go to Holofernes’ camp with the intention to... but she refuses to disclose her plan. She begs Uzziah to let her go with Abra towards Holofernes' army. ‘The five-day deadline remains’ Uzziah reminds her.
Scene 4
The maid Abra and her friend Ruth talk about Abra’s mistress, Judith, who is getting ready in her home before leaving to meet Holofernes. This brief duet reveals more about Judith’s beauty and her careful preparation. Judith calls for Abra and instructs her to get ready, as she will accompany her out of the town. Left alone, Judith begins her monologue, questioning the moral and Christian justification for her plan. She prays to God for strength, determined to kill Holofernes. Her intent grows stronger, driven by the desire to save her people and her hometown from the enemy.
Act II
Scene 1
Judith and Abra are brought before Holofernes by enemy soldiers and thrown at his feet. Judith begins her story, continuing on Achior’s report (which led to his banishment to Bethulia). She explains to Holofernes that the time has come to conquer Bethulia because the Bethulians have insulted their God by imposing a five-day deadline for salvation. Judith praises Holofernes but also begs to be allowed to worship her God. Impressed by Judith’s wisdom and captivated by her beauty, Holofernes orders a grand banquet and invites Judith to join him.
Scene 2
Holofernes' army feasts and celebrates its future victory over the Bethulians. Late at night, the soldiers gradually disperse, leaving their commander alone with Judith, who has clearly captivated him. Holofernes becomes increasingly infatuated with her and continues his courting. Judith and Holofernes are left alone. The duet of Judith and Holofernes concludes with Holofernes falling into a deep drunken sleep. Judith seizes that opportunity and kills him with his own sword. Judith exits the stage, taking Holofernes’ severed head as evidence. The stage is completely empty. The orchestra performs an intermezzo. Dawn breaks. Vaga, Holofernes' vizier, enters with other viziers, and they are horrified to discover the lifeless body of their commander. Chaos ensues, as they start screaming and quarrelling.
Scene 3
The town square is once again filled with people. Amid loud exclamations, the city gates open, and Judith staggers in with Abra. With great effort, they make their way to Eliakim and Uzziah. They both collapse, and the severed head of Holofernes rolls out of the bundle they were holding. Silence falls over the square. Achior bursts from the crowd, gazing at the severed head, and cries out that it is the head of Holofernes. At the same time, soldiers rush in from the watchtowers, announcing that the Assyrians are fleeing in panic. The music gradually starts, extolling Judith’s glory. Everyone embraces and celebrates her. Messengers continue to arrive, bearing news of the Bethulians’ triumphant victory over their foes. A tremendous celebration fills the city. Joy is restored, and life in the town returns to normal.
GALLERY
