The Dream of Gerontius, popularly called Gerontius, is an oratorio (Opus 38) composed by Edward Elgar in 1900, to text from the poem by Cardinal John Henry Newman. It relates the journey of a pious man's soul from his deathbed to his judgment before God and settling into Purgatory. It is widely regarded as the finest choral work of Sir Edward Elgar. The first performance took place on October 3, 1900, in Birmingham Town Hall.
Link: The Dream of Gerontius Op 38, conducted by John Barbirolli, with Janet Baker, mezzo-soprano (The Angel); Richard Lewis, tenor (Gerontius, Soul of Gerontius); Kim Borg, bass (The Priest, The Angel of Agony); The combined Hallé Choir and Sheffild Philharmonic Chorus (chorus master: Eric Chadwick); Ambrosian Singers (chorus master: John McCarthy); Hallé Orchestra, leader: Martin Milner. 1965.
Newman's poem tells the story of a soul's journey through death, and provides a meditation on the unseen world of Roman Catholic theology. Gerontius, a name derived from the Greek word geron, meaning "old man", is a devout "Everyman," which in literary jargon means an ordinary individual with whom the reader or audience is able to identify easily. that is, Elgar's Manuscript Score, 1900
Elgar's setting uses most of the text of the first part of the poem, which takes place on Earth, but omits many of the more meditative sections of the much longer, other worldly second part.In the first part, Gerontius is heard as dying man of faith, fearful and hopeful, but always confident. A group of friends (also called "assistants" in the text) joins him in prayer and meditation. He passes in peace, and a priest, with the assistants, sends him on his way with a valediction.
In the second part, Gerontius, is referred to as "The Soul," awakes in a place apparently without space or time, and becomes aware of the presence of his guardian angel, who expresses joy at the culmination of her task (Cardinal Newman conceived the Angel as male in his text, but Elgar gives the part to a female singer). After a long dialogue, they journey towards the judgment throne. They safely pass a group of demons, meet choirs of angels, eternally praising God for His grace and forgiveness. The Angel of the Agony pleads with Jesus to spare the souls of the faithful.
Finally Gerontius glimpses God. He is judged in a single moment. The Guardian Angel lowers him into the soothing lake of Purgatory, with a final benediction and promise of glory in his re-awakening.
Suggested Reading:
The Libretto of Sir Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius. elgar.org. Accessed October 10, 2022.
Suggested Listening:
Dame Janet Baker's 'The Angel's Farewell - 1964 - Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius. Youtube, uploaded by Mariandelochs. Accessed October 28, 2013.
Yvonne Minton sings 'Softly and Gently' from Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius. Youtube, uploaded by Hermann Debroux. Accessed October 27, 2016.
Suggested Reading:
"A guide to why Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius is the most epic choral stupendousness". Classic FM. Accessed October 3, 2021.
Trivia:
(Added Sept 28, 2017). I'm proud to share that our Sydney Philharmonia Choirs' Festival Chorus, joined by SPC Symphony Chorus, and the Sydney Youth Orchestra, will be performing this epic work of Sir Elgar - The Dream of Gerontius, Op 38 - conducted by our Artistic Director Brett Weymark, on 19 and 21 October 2017, at the Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House. Celebrated soloists: Jacqueline "Jacqui" Dark (mezzo soprano), Andrew Goodwin (tenor), and Jose Carbo (baritone).
Reviews. Our two-day performance was prepossessing, emotionally exhausting but absolutely fulfilling. Intense emotion from both performers and audience.
1. The Daily Telegraph. / Wentworth Courier. "Sydney Philharmonia Choirs do justice to Elgar's best work." Accessed 24 October 2017.
2. The Limelight Magazine. "Review: The Dream of Gerontius. (Sydney Philharmonia Choirs)." Accessed 20 October 2017.
Video Credit:
Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius [Barbirolli] Janet Baker, Richard Lewis, Kim Borg. Youtube, uploaded by Operazaile Operazaile. Accessed 10 July 2017.
Elgar - The Dream of Gerontius (Halle/Elder). Youtube, uploaded by Jordan Rowland. Accessed June 2, 2024.
Resources:
1. BBC - Radio 3 - Elgar/The Dream of Gerontius. Accessed October 25, 2017.
2. The Dream of Gerontius. en.wikpedia.org. Accessed October 3, 2013.
Latest update: October 27, 2017.
(c) October 2013. Updated June 2, 2024. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.
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