The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-05-01
JUDAS MACCABAEUS."
Story Of the Great 0ratorio 10 Be Produced at
This Years Festival.

One of the principal works to be present.
ed at the coming May Music Festival is
Handles Judas Maccabaeus." which the
great chorus, under the direction OF Mr.
Arens. has been rehearsing now for many
months The theme of this oratorIo Is
drawn from the history of the jews during
that exciting period when, driven from
their homes and affairs, the more faithful
sought refuge in the mountains about
while those less fortunate than their broth
sers. were pursued and msssacred by
Syrian foes, while others. finding
safety, returned later. regained their lands
and cities and, finally, under the protec-
ton oS the Romans. rebuilt their temple.
and regretted their affairs In their suc-
cessful struggles the Jews fought under
the strong arm of Judas. and were directed
by the man of council. Simon--twO of the
five sons of Msttathias-the latter being
the son of John, the son of Simeon. q priest
of the sons of Joareb, and lived in the
mountain of Modin. The history of these
events Is thus described:
The holy places are come in the hands Of
strangers; her temple Is become as man with
The vessels of her glory are carried away cap.
tive; her old men are murdered in the streets
and her young men are fallen by the sword of
enemies.
and gotten OF her spells.
And many had gone away into the sacred
places In the mountains. and when the men
of King Antiochus found them it was on a
Sabbath day, and those who had been hid
den and were found wonld not fight, for it
was on the Lords day. and quite q thou-
sand were slain with their wives and their
children; and when Mattetbias and his
friends heard this they mourned exceed
ingly. and Undetermined TO fight whose
ever should come against them, even on
the Sabbath day.
Now Jerusalem was not inhabited, but was
like desert; there were none of her children
that wentin or out; and the sanctuary was trod-
den down.
The attempt of Antiochus the Great TO
finally stamp ont Judaism eliminated in
his attempt TO force the Jews to publicly
eat the flesh OF swine sacrificed TO jupiter.
The insurgents in the mountains raised the
standard of liberty OF conscience. on
which was inscribed the initials of their
wan cry. III. X i. l.. and from which they
got the name of Maccabees and their leader.
the son of their priest, became known as
Judas Maccabaeus Under Judas they
We're victorious. Antiochus died, some ac-
counts say. of disease, but the ApOchry-
pha says of disappointment. caused By the
reyerses of the long war with the Jews and
the draining of his kingdom of treasure in
his attempt TO MAINTAIN IL. The Macca-
the temple and restored its Worship.
Although the story is told IN the Apochry-
pha it is not at all apochry phal in bloody
and sangulnary experience of the jews for
@ period of hundred years preceding b. Z.
les. In December of that year was first
held The Fast Of Dedication" which was
according 10 ST. John *. 81 continually
observed till our Lords time.
Inc jews were scattered over many
countries. till Jerusalem again became
their religious and political center. In its
temple alone sacrifices were offered. From
Jews all over the world came poll tax of
a half sheckel. BY deerees Of Julius Cesar
tB. G. Al the Roman empire confirmed the
local government of Jerusalem as q Pc
eullar i'm perium imperio. and such govern
ment continued until betrayed by Herod,
the descendant OF a slave.
GThe war with the Pretender gave occa-
sion for this masterpiece. 1t was written
III thirty-two days between July and
Aug IL. 17s6. and was first produced on
April Of the following year. The oratorio
was demanded from the composer by Prince
Frederick TO celebrate the return of his
brother. the Duke of cumberland, after
having won the battle of Culloden April 10,
17s6. The manuscript was By Thorn "a Nor
reil and does full Justice 70 Handefs
music and the subject, and. complete,
is n fully rounded aud finished
poem. but in the collaboration il was
not al used. % il was thought IL would