23rd Psalm in Hebrew

Lyrics adapted by Frank DiGiacomo from the play by S. Ansky. Based on THE DYBBUK, translation © 1974 by S. Morris Engel, published by Nash Publishing Corporation, New York.
Photography by Rick Powers.

Sung in Hebrew by the Batlonim, the synagogue prayer men. They are joined in this chorus by Hennakh, whose voice rises over their chanting. The music of this chorus is based on the musical themes which form the “motto” themes of the opera. During the chorus (but not in this sheet music and performance) Khannon is heard formulating the magical schemes which reveal his obsession.

The recording is of a performance, accompanied by the Composer, at the recital An Evening of New Music by Frank DiGiacomo, on May 18, 1977 at the Carrier Theater of the Mulroy Civic Center in Syracuse, New York. The chorus is conducted by Erwin R. Vrooman and Hennakh, the solo tenor, is sung by Bruce Reed. The chorus members, not all present for this photograph, were: Steven Black, William Black, Robert Eggers, David Frye, David Kreh, James Shults, Peter Sicilian, William West and Trent Zorn.

LYRICS
(Hennakh and the Batlonim sing the 23rd Psalm in chorus, as they prepare for the end of day.)

CHORUS OF BATLONIM:
Adonoi Ro’i, lo echsar.
Bin’ot deshe yarbitseini,
almei m’nuhot y’nahaleini,
naf’shi y’shovev,
yan’heini b’ma’aglei tsedek,
l’ma’an sh’mo.
Gam ki eilech b’gei tsalmavet,
lo ’ira ra, ki atah imadi.
Shiv’t’cha umish’antecha heimah y’nahamuni.
Ta’aroch l’fanai shulchan neged tsor’rai;
Adonoi Ro’i, dishanta vashemen roshi,
kosi r’vayah.
Ach tov vahesed yird’funi kol y’mai hayai,
v’shav’ti b’veit Adonoi l’orech yamim.
Amin.

HENNAKH: (with above.)
Adonoi, roi, Adonoi.
Amin.