MOZART: BETULIA LIBERATA

Christophe Rousset leads Talens Lyriques in Mozart's first oratorio, Betulia liberata. It was composed in 1771 to a libretto by Metastasio that traces the well-known biblical story of Judith and Holofernes. The Assyrians have led siege on Bethulia, and it's people are losing hope that the city will be freed. Judith, a beautiful and deeply religious widow, succeeds in penetrating the enemy camp and seduces Holofernes, before killing him during his sleep.