Composer

:

Giacomo Carissimi

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Oratorio

Average_duration

:

22:22

Giacomo Carissimi's oratorio 'Jonas' was composed in the mid-17th century, with the exact date of composition unknown. It premiered in Rome, likely at the Oratorio del Santissimo Crocifisso, where Carissimi was maestro di cappella. 'Jonas' is divided into three movements, each with multiple sections. The first movement depicts Jonah's disobedience and flight from God, his punishment of being swallowed by a whale, and his subsequent prayer for deliverance. The second movement portrays Jonah's preaching to the Ninevites and their repentance, while the third movement focuses on Jonah's anger at God's mercy towards the Ninevites and his eventual reconciliation with God. Carissimi's use of recitative and aria-like sections in 'Jonas' is characteristic of his style, as is his use of dissonance and chromaticism to convey emotional intensity. The oratorio also features a variety of instrumental accompaniment, including strings, continuo, and occasional brass and woodwind instruments. Overall, 'Jonas' is a powerful and dramatic work that showcases Carissimi's skill as a composer and his ability to convey complex emotions through music.

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