Juditha synopsis

Judith Triumphant

Part One
 
Holofernes, the Assyrian general, and his army are besieging the town of Bethulia. Holofernes exhorts his soldiers to honour and glory through battle. Vagaus, Holofernes' captain, tells Holofernes that a noble woman of Bethulia is asking for him and that if he 'simply gazes on her they will be on intimate terms'.
 
Judith, accompanied by her faithful companion Abra, prays for safe passage and tells the soldiers she comes 'to sue for peace and not to wage war'. Vagaus advises the Bethulian widow Judith to trust Holofernes 'with love and faith'.
 
Holofernes is dazzled by Judith's beauty; Judith asks for mercy and justice, telling Holofernes that clemency for her people will be nobler than their defeat. Deeply smitten with Judith, Holofernes promises an end to the siege in the name of his love for her. He invites her to a banquet to celebrate this love, and instructs Vagaus to prepare it. Left alone, Judith and Abra pledge their support for each other.
 
Part one ends with a choral plea for peace, and for Judith to 'return victorious, warrior-like'.
 
Part Two
 
Ozias, spiritual leader of the people of Bethulia, predicts the fall of Holofernes, and prays for the destruction of the enemy and for Judith's safe return.
 
Judith and Holofernes enjoy the prepared feast; Holofernes speaks of his love for Judith, and she urges him to 'temper the heat of his desire'. They share wine, Holofernes eventually falling into drunken stupor. Vagaus congratulates Judith on having 'triumphed over such a bold leader' and invites Judith to retire with Holofernes to his tent.
 
Gaining support and strength from Abra, Judith uses Holofernes' sword to cut off his head: 'In the name of the Lord God'. Judith and Abra flee, taking the head of Holofernes with them. Vagaus returns to discover the slaughter, expressing grief and craving vengeance.
 
Judith and Abra present the head of Holofernes, and Ozias and the people of Bethulia give thanks to God, for their triumph.