Boston Conservatory Choir Presents: Michael Haydn’s Vesperæ profesto Sanctissimæ Innocentium

JOHANN MICHAEL HAYDN (1737–1806): Vesperae profesto Sanctissimae Innocentium, MH 548 (1793)
I. Dixit Dominus
II. Confitebor
III. Beatus vir
IV. De profundis
V. Memento
VI. Salvete flores
VII. Magnificat

JOHANN MICHAEL HAYDN: Vesperae profesto Sanctissimae Innocentium, MH 548 (1793)

Deus in adjutorium meum intende: Domine ad adjuvandum me festina. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. Alleluia. 

Psalm 69 (BCP 70), v.1: Haste thee, O God, to deliver me: make haste to help me, O Lord. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, and now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

I. Dixit Dominus Domino meo: sede a dextris meis, donec ponam inimicos tuos scabellum pedum tuorum. Virgam virtutis tuae emittet Dominus ex Sion, dominare in medio inimicorum tuorum. Tecum principium in die virtutis tuae in splendoribus sanctorum, ex utero ante luciferum genui te. Juravit Dominus et non poenitebit eum: tu es sacerdos in aeternum secundum ordinem Melchisedech. Dominus a dextris tuis confregit in die irae suae reges. Judicabit in nationibus, implebit ruinas, conquassabit capita in terra multorum. De torrente in via bibet, propterea exaltabit caput. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. Alleluia. 

Psalm 109 (BCP 110): The Lord said unto my Lord: Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The Lord shall send the rod of thy power out of Sion: be thou ruler, even in the midst among thine enemies. In the day of thy power shall the people offer thee free-will offerings with an holy worship: the dew of thy birth is of the womb of the morning. The Lord sware, and will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech. The Lord upon thy right hand: shall wound even kings in the day of his wrath. He shall judge among the heathen; he shall fill the places with the dead bodies: and smite in sunder the heads over diverse countries. He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up his head. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, and now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

II. Confitebor tibi Domine in toto corde meo in consilio justorum et congregatione. Magna opera Domini, exquisita in omnes voluntates ejus. Confessio et magnificentia opus ejus, et justitia ejus manet in saeculum saeculi. Memoriam fecit mirabilium suorum misericors et justus et escam dedit timentibus se. Memor erit in saeculum testamenti sui. Virtutem operum suorum annuntiabit populo suo. Ut det illis hereditatem gentium. Opera manuum ejus veritas et judicium. Fidelia omnia mandata ejus, confirmata in veritate et aequitate. Redemptionem misit Dominus populo suo, mandavit in aeternum testamentum suum. Sanctum et terribile nomen ejus. Initium sapientiae timor Domini; intellectus bonus omnibus facientibus eum, laudatio ejus manet in saeculum saeculi. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Psalm 110 (BCP 111): I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart: secretly among the faithful, and in the congregation. The works of the Lord are great: sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is worthy to be praised and had in honour: and his righteousness endureth for ever. The merciful and gracious Lord hath so done his marvellous works: that they ought to be had in remembrance. He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he shall ever be mindful of his covenant. He hath shewed his people the power of his works: that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. The works of his hands are verity and judgement: all his commandments are true. They stand fast for ever and ever: and are done in truth and equity. He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever; holy and reverend is his Name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do thereafter; the praise of it endureth for ever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, and now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

III. Beatus vir qui timet Dominum, in mandatis ejus volet nimis. Potens in terra erit semen ejus, generatio rectorum benedicetur. Gloria et divitiae in domo ejus et justitia ejus manet in seaculum. Exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis, misericors et miserator et justus. Jucundus homo, qui miseretur et commodat, disponet sermones suos in judicio. Quia in aeternum non commovebitur. In memoria aeterna erit justus, ab auditione mala non timebit. Paratum cor ejus sperare in Domino. Non commovebitur donec despiciat inimicos suos. Dispersit dedit pauperibus, justitia ejus manet in saeculum saeculi. Cornu ejus exaltabitur in gloria. Peccator videbit et irascetur, dentibus suis fremet et tabescet, desiderium peccatorum peribit. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. 

Psalm 111 (BCP 112) Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he hath great delight in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the faithful shall be blessed. Riches and plenteousness shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. Unto the godly there ariseth up light in the darkness: he is merciful, loving, and righteous. A good man is merciful, and lendeth: and will guide his words with discretion. For he shall never be moved: and the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance. He will not be afraid of any evil tidings: for his heart standeth fast, and believeth in the Lord. His heart is established, and will not shrink: until he see his desire upon his enemies. He hath dispersed abroad, and given to the poor: and his righteousness remaineth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. The ungodly shall see it, and it shall grieve him: he shall gnash with his teeth, and consume away; the desire of the ungodly shall perish. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, and now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

IV. De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine; Domine, exaudi vocem meam. Fiant aures tuæ intendentes in vocem deprecationis meæ. Si iniquitates observaveris, Domine, Domine, quis sustinebit? Quia apud te propitiatio est; et propter legem tuam sustinui te, Domine. Sustinuit anima mea in verbo ejus: speravit anima mea in Domino. A custodia matutina usque ad noctem, speret Israel in Domino. Quia apud Dominum misericordia, et copiosa apud eum redemptio. Et ipse redimet Israel ex omnibus iniquitatibus ejus. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. 

Psalm 129 (BCP 130) Out of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice. O let thine ears consider well: the voice of my complaint. If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss: O Lord, who may abide it? For there is mercy with thee: therefore shalt thou be feared. I look for the Lord; my soul doth wait for him: in his word is my trust. My soul fleeth unto the Lord: before the morning watch, I say, before the morning watch. O Israel, trust in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy: and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel: from all his sins. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, and now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

IV. Memento, Domine, David, et omnis mansuetudinis ejus: sicut juravit Domino; votum vovit Deo Jacob: Si introiero in tabernaculum domus meæ; si ascendero in lectum strati mei; si dedero somnum oculis meis, et palpebris meis dormitationem, et requiem temporibus meis, donec inveniam locum Domino, tabernaculum Deo Jacob. Ecce audivimus eam in Ephrata; invenimus eam in campis silvæ. Introibimus in tabernaculum ejus; adorabimus in loco ubi steterunt pedes ejus. Surge, Domine, in requiem tuam, tu et arca sanctificationis tuæ. Sacerdotes tui induantur justitiam, et sancti tui exsultent. Propter David servum tuum non avertas faciem christi tui. Juravit Dominus David veritatem, et non frustrabitur eam: De fructu ventris tui ponam super sedem tuam. Si custodierint filii tui testamentum meum, et testimonia mea hæc quæ docebo eos, et filii eorum usque in sæculum sedebunt super sedem tuam. Quoniam elegit Dominus Sion: elegit eam in habitationem sibi. Hæc requies mea in sæculum sæculi; hic habitabo, quoniam elegi eam. Viduam ejus benedicens benedicam; pauperes ejus saturabo panibus. Sacerdotes ejus induam salutari, et sancti ejus exsultatione exsultabunt. Illuc producam cornu David: paravi lucernam christo meo. Inimicos ejus induam confusione; super ipsum autem efflorebit sanctificatio mea. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. 

Psalm 131 (BCP 132): Lord, remember David: and all his trouble; How he sware unto the Lord: and vowed a vow unto the Almighty God of Jacob; I will not come within the tabernacle of mine house: nor climb up into my bed; I will not suffer mine eyes to sleep, nor mine eye-lids to slumber: neither the temples of my head to take any rest; until I find out a place for the temple of the Lord: an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. Lo, we heard of the same at Ephrata: and found it in the wood. We will go into his tabernacle: and fall low on our knees before his footstool. Arise, O Lord, into thy resting-place: thou, and the ark of thy strength. Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness: and let thy saints sing with joyfulness. For thy servant David's sake: turn not away the presence of thine Anointed. The Lord hath made a faithful oath unto David: and he shall not shrink from it; Of the fruit of thy body: shall I set upon thy seat. If thy children will keep my covenant, and my testimonies that I shall learn them: their children also shall sit upon thy seat for evermore. For the Lord hath chosen Sion to be an habitation for himself: he hath longed for her. This shall be my rest for ever: here will I dwell, for I have a delight therein. I will bless her victuals with increase: and will satisfy her poor with bread. I will deck her priests with health: and her saints shall rejoice and sing. There shall I make the horn of David to flourish: I have ordained a lantern for mine Anointed. As for his enemies, I shall clothe them with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, and now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

VI. Salvete flores Martyrum Quo lucis ipso in limine Christi in secutur sustulit Ceu turbo nascentes rosas. Vos prima Christi victima Grex immolatorum tener Aram ante ipsam simplices Palma et coronatis luditis. Jesu tibi sit Gloria Qui natus es de Virgine Cum Patre et almo Spiritu In sempiterna saecula. 

Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (c.348–c.413) Hymn at Lauds, Feast of the Holy Innocents Translation: Athelstan Riley (1858–1945): All hail, ye little Martyr flowers, Sweet rosebuds cut in dawning hours! When Herod sought the Christ to find Ye fell as bloom before the wind. First victims of the Martyr bands, With crowns and palms in tender hands, Around the very altar, gay and innocent, ye seem to play. All honour, laud, and glory be, O Jesu, Virgin-born to Thee; All glory, as is ever meet to Father and to Paraclete. My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 

VII. Magnificat anima mea Dominum; Et exsultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo, Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae; ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes. Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est, et sanctum nomen ejus, Et misericordia ejus a progenie in progenies timentibus eum. Fecit potentiam in bracchio suo; Dispersit superbos mente cordis sui. Deposuit potentes de sede, et exaltavit humiles. Esurientes implevit bonis, et divites dimisit inanes. Suscepit Israel, puerum suum, recordatus misericordiae suae, Sicut locutus est ad patres nostros, Abraham et semini ejus in saecula. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper: et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. 

Canticles of Mary: My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For he hath regarded: the lowliness of his handmaiden: For behold, from henceforth: all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that fear him: throughout all generations. He hath shewed strength with his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel: As he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, and now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

All translations from the Book of Common Prayer 1662 (BCP) unless otherwise indicated. NB: Psalm numberings differ in the Vulgate (Latin) and the BCP. Sourced from Naxos 8.574163. 

ORCHESTRA 

VIOLIN 
Spencer Lee 
Tess Reed

CELLO 
Maddie Corrigan

HORN 
Ricardo Verde
Eva Chen

VOCAL SOLOISTS
First- and Third-Year BM Voice, Boston Conservatory

CONSERVATORY CHOIR
Aylani Rodriguez
Ciara Cuneo
Demitra Ypsilantis
Edith Mora
Elia Contreras
Ellie Sawyer
Emily Schmidt
Isabella Napoli
Kat Lutz
Kathleen Kelly
Lyndley Thurkins
Maisy Parker*
Morgan Pay Staley*
Olivia Pike*
Remi Bellemare
Sedona Wissar

*section leaders

Assistant Director, Concert Services – Luis Herrera 
Coordinator, Concert Services – Matthew Carey
Concert Production Manager – Kendall Floyd
Performance Technology Technicians – Sara Pagiaro, Goran Daskalov
Performance Technology Specialist – Andrei Radu