# Nabal (Handel)

Nabal (no HWV number) is an oratorio pastiche. It was compiled from the works of Handel in 1764 by John Christopher Smith. It was first performed on 16 March 1764 at Covent Garden, London.
The recitatives are presumably the work of Smith, while the arias are largely borrowed from Handel's operas, oratorios, anthems and cantatas.

## Dramatis Personae

* Nabal (bass)
* Abigail (soprano)
* David (tenor)
* Asaph (soprano)
* Shepherd (soprano)

## Summary

| Part | Movement | Type | Voice | Text (first lines) |
| 1 | 1 | Symphonia (Largo, Allegro, Largo, Minuet) | | |
| 1 | 2 | Recitative | David | Here in the Wilderness of Paran |
| 1 | 3 | Chorus | | The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance |
| 1 | 4 | Accompagnato | David | Have mercy on us, Lord |
| 1 | 5 | Air | David | Food they ask'd |
| 1 | 6 | Recitative | Asaph | No doubt |
| 1 | 7 | Air | Asaph | The Lord, our guide |
| 1 | 8 | Chorus | | The Lord our guide |
| 1 | 9 | Recitative | Abigail | How hard the woman's fate |
| 1 | 10 | Air | Abigail | Free from discord |
| 1 | 11 | Recitative | Nabal | Avaunt, unpleasing wretch |
| 1 | 12 | Air | Nabal | Still fill the bowl |
| 1 | 13 | Ballo and Minuet | | |
| 1 | 14 | Gavotte | | |
| 1 | 15 | Siciliana | | |
| 1 | 16 | Air | Shepherd | Gay and light as yonder sheep |
| 1 | 17 | Chorus | | Gay and light as yonder sheep |
| 1 | 18 | Recitative | Nabal | 'Tis Carmel's annual holiday |
| 1 | 19 | Chorus | | Happy, while we reign in pleasure |
| 2 | 1 | Recitative | David | Asaph, 'tis well advis'd |
| 2 | 2 | Air | David | Great Creator |
| 2 | 3 | Chorus | | God, who in they heav'nly hand |
| 2 | 4 | Recitative and Accompagnato | Asaph | Thus saith my Lord |
| 2 | 5 | Air | Asaph | Grateful hearts enjoy the blessing |
| 2 | 6 | Recitative | Nabal | Who is this David? |
| 2 | 7 | Air | Nabal | With harps new strung |
| 2 | 8 | Solo and Chorus | Shepherd | Come! Come! Live with pleasure |
| 2 | 9 | Air and Chorus | Shepherd | Sing we the feast |
| 2 | 10 | Chorus | | Crown with festal pomp the day |
| 2 | 11 | Accompagnato | Abigail | Thrice happy sheep |
| 2 | 12 | Air | Abigail | Mind eternal |
| 2 | 13 | Recitative | Shepherd, Abigail | Fly my good mistress |
| 2 | 14 | Accompagnato | David | Fell monster! |
| 2 | 15 | Air | David | Fury in all they terrors rise |
| 2 | 16 | Accompagnato | Abigail | On me, my Lord, on me |
| 2 | 17 | Air | Abigail | Mercy, thou heavn'ly cherub |
| 2 | 18 | Accompagnato | David | Blessed be the Lord |
| 2 | 19 | Chorus | | All creatures upon God depend |
| 3 | 1 | Interludes | | |
| 3 | 2 | Accompagnato | Nabal | Ah! Whence this sudden dread |
| 3 | 3 | Air | Nabal | Oh! Who can tell the terrors? |
| 3 | 4 | Recitative | Shepherd | How soon the scene is chang'd |
| 3 | 5 | Chorus | | By slow degrees the wrath of God |
| 3 | 6 | Recitative | Asaph | A messenger, my Lord |
| 3 | 7 | Air | Asaph | When beauty sorrow's livery wears |
| 3 | 8 | Recitative | David | True is your observation |
| 3 | 9 | Air | David | Lovely beauty |
| 3 | 10 | Recitative | Abigail | Behold! Thine handmaid |
| 3 | 11 | Air | Abigail | Come ye similing hours |
| 3 | 12 | Accompagnato | Shepherd | Guardian angels |
| 3 | 13 | Duet | Shepherd, Asaph | Thrice happy pair |
| 3 | 14 | Solo and chorus | Shepherd | Still caressing |
| 3 | 15 | Recitative | Abigail | in praise, to great Jehovah |
| 3 | 16 | Duet | Abigail and David | Thoughts sublime |
| 3 | 17 | Chorus | | O glorious prince |