Hannah (oratorio)

Title page of Hannah libretto

Hannah is an oratorio in three acts by Christopher Smart with a score composed by John Worgan. It was first performed in Haymarket theater 3 April 1764. It was supposed to have a second performance, but that performance was postponed and eventually cancelled over a lack of singers. A libretto was published for its run and a libretto with full score was published later that year.

Hannah tells the story of Hannah and of her devotion to God which resulted in her being blessed with fertility by God. It was the first of two oratorio librettos written by Smart, the second being Abimelech.

Background

In 1763, Christopher Smart was released from Mr. Potter's madhouse. While working on a translation of the Psalms and of Horace's writings, Smart needed to earn money to support himself. He was encouraged to write a libretto in order to find employment by many of his friends who were involved with the theater and musical circles of London. The field of Oratorio appealed to Smart because of its financial benefits and its being grounded in the "sacred".

Smart defined an oratorio as:

"a sacred opera; deducing its fable from scripture, as the opera itself does, from profane history. This species (if rightly executed) is most admirably calculated to fulfill the great end of drama, to make men more virtuous; as it takes for its subject the actions of holy men, and consequently deals much in praises and addresses to the deity. I believe our oratorios at present in vogue, tho' not very remarkable for poetical composition, have their good effect on the more rational and sober part of the audience. Yet what more universal and useful effects would this species of the drama produce, if it was to join true poetry, with true piety, and the sacred characters introduced, were taught to speak from the head as well as the heart? Add to this, a regularity of plan might be maintained (which hitherto has been utterly neglected) as well as in any other dramatic piece. In short, no subject more naturally affords the true sublime, than that of which the oratorio consists; and consequently, an exalted genius can no where find a more suitable or ample field, for the exercise and exertion of his most magnificent conceptions."

In order to help produce his first oratorio, Smart turned to John Worgan to compose the score. Smart previous worked with Worgan when Worgan composed the score for Smart's Solemn Dirge, a poem written on the death of Frederic Prince of Wales. After the two finished, they advertised in the Public Advertiser on 21 February 1764 that Hannah would run three days at the end of March. The show was supposed to be performed on 30 March and 31 March, but it was cancelled because it was Lent and they were unable to find singers. Eventually, Hannah was performed for only one night, 3 April 1764.

Hannah was supposed to run a second night and sold tickets, but the show was unable to be performed. An advertisement in the Public Advertiser on 1 May 1764 read:

"The Favourable RECEPTION of the ORATORIO of HANNAH, found from the Nobility and Gentry who honoured it with their Presence at this Theatre, had determined the Author to perform it again according to his first Intention, After the Passion Week (as no Night could be found before that Time, on which many of the principle Performers were not otherwise engaged) but on Account of the advanced Season, and that several who had taken their Tickets have left the Town for the Summer, he is advised by his Friends to defer the Performance until next Winter. As several are desirous of knowing when the Songs in this Oratorio will be published, the Author takes this Opportunity of Acquainting the Public, that they are now Printing, and will be ready for Sale in a few Weeks of which Notice will be given in this Paper."

However, there are no records of Hannah being performed during the following winter.

The libretto was published by Tonson April 1764 with the score printed later that year. The text of the libretto is written in copperplate by a professional copyist and a note on the final page says, "This Oratorio is intended to be perform'd at the Kings Theatre in the Haymarket with the Permission of the Lord Chamberlain. Dr. Worgan for Mr Giardini [missing] the said Theatre."

Hannah

First page of Hannah libretto

The libretto begins with an "argument" that gives a summary of the story of Hannah who, through her devotion to God, was allowed to give birth to Samuel. Immediately following, there is a disclaimer that reads:

"The only Liberty Mr. Smart has taken with the sacred Story is that he has introduced the Song of Hannah as a Thanksgiving immediate upon her acceptance in Shiloh, whereas it was not composed till after the Birth of Samuel. This Liberty he humbly hopes is more pardonable than the total Omission of so pious and beautiful a Piece."

However, rearranging the timing of biblical events was not the only liberty taken with the story; the libretto emphasizes Peninnah's fertility and jealousy along with Elkanah's benevolent treatment of Hannah.

The oratorio begins with Peninnah singing:

When Abraham threw himself upon his Face

To worship God Almight, in return

Came Blessing down for Blessing – On his Loins

It came, from whence a Matron of her House

Stands forth, Peninnah; whose unnumber'd Progeny

Are known to him which calculates the Stars,

And tells the Total of the golden Grain

That borders boundless Ocean – O for Musick,

And every Form of Joy to bless and praise.

(Hannah 1–9)

The character of Peninnah uses her fertility as an excuse to mock Hannah in a manner more "earthly" than sacred. The earthly mannerisms of Peninnah and her maids were emphasized in the oratorio for "theatrical effect". However, the themes of fertility and barrenness are also important aspects for Smart's poetic theme. The Handmaid to Peninnah emphasizes these themes when she sings:

Far other is the Lot of her, that shares

A nobler Portion of her Husband's Bounty,

The highly-favour'd Hannah; for her Honour

Is not hereafter in the sweet Idea

Of Self continued in a genuine Race.

(Hannah 16–20)

Roles

• Elkanah
• Eli
• Levite of Elkanah's household
• Hannah
• Peninnah
• Handmaid to Peninnah
• Elphaba
• Chorus of Priest and Damsels, and other Attendants

Critical response

A review in the St. James's Magazine claimed for the libretto "some poetical merit" but William Kenrick, a rival of Smart's, could not hold the poem as high. A biographer of Worgan claimed that the play lasted only one night because of Handel's popularity in London at the time, and "It is owing to this iniquitous idolatry that the oratorio of Hannah struggled into light, and soon disappeared. The adorers of Handel would not hear of oratorios composed by Arne, Worgan, and Arnold". However, the biographer didn't just blame Handel, but followed Kenrick's assessment when he said, "Hannah teems with resplendent beauties, but is enfeebled by the doggrel of poor Kit Smart."

References

• Dearnley, Moira. The Poetry of Christopher Smart. New York: Barnes & Noble, 1969. 332 pp.
• Mounsey, Chris. Christopher Smart: Clown of God. Lewisburg: Bucknell University Press, 2001. 342 pp.
• Sherbo, Arthur. Christopher Smart: Scholar of the University. Michigan State University Press, 1967. 303 pp.
• Smart, Christopher. The Poetical Works of Christopher Smart, II: Religious Poetry 1763–1771. Ed. Marcus Walsh and Karina Williamson. Oxford: Clarendon, 1983. 472 pp.