Notes on Berlioz's The Childhood of Christ

Christmas Oratorio: Herod's Dream, Egypt Flight, and Arrival at Sais

Dec 12, 2008

Nativity oratorio by Hector Berlioz: oratorio's brief history, cast of characters, and synopsis.

The sacred oratorio The Childhood of Christ is composed by Hector Berlioz who also wrote the text himself. The original language was in French with the title "L'Enfance du Christ," Trilogie sacrée, Op. 25.

Writing started in 1850 with "La Fuite en Egypte" (The Flight into Egypt.) It continued in 1853 with "L'Arivée à Sais" (The Arrival at Sais) completed in 1854 with "Le Songe d'Hérode" (Herod's Dream.)

"La Fuite en Egypte" was first performed in Paris on November 12, 1850, as an "Oratorio by Pierre Ducre" but under the name of Berlioz, it was only heard four years later, on December 10, 1854, also in Paris.

Cast of Chracters

The major characters of the Nativity story are all too familiar - Mary, Joseph and Herod. What then should be reflected is the significance of their roles in the birthday of Jesus, the Christ child: Mary, the mother of the Son of God; Joseph, "assigned" as the earthly father of Jesus; and Herod, who finds the child a threat to his status as "king of the Jews," simply wants him killed.

The composer and text-writer, Berlioz, emphasizes the relationships of the characters by using a Narrator, similar to the use of the Evangelists in the Passions. In the end, the story is clear: Jesus escapes death. And so, the Christ child grows.

Synopsis of The Childhood of Christ Oratorio

First Part: Herod's Dream

The streets of Jerusalem are swarming with Roman soldiers, including a Roman centurion as Herod's fear grows by the day about this Christ child "King of the Jews." He requires continuous presence of his men as anxiety grips him.

The next scene takes place in Herod's palace, where the king wanders distracted: he keeps dreaming of the child again, the one who will lead to his downfall. Because he is threatened, he cruelly orders that all newborn Israelite babies must be killed.

The scene changes to Bethlehem in a manger where the Christ child is born. Mary sings a lullaby by her child's cradle, with Joseph joining in to form a lovely duet. A chorus of angels calls to them plus the organ sound advising them to secretly flee to Egypt.

Second Part: Flight into Egypt

To the second part, a long orchestral prelude heralds the second part, "The Flight into Egypt" and a soft orchestral introduction accompanies the family while they prepare for the escape to Egypt. A chorus of angels sings "Hallelujah" as they get a good night's sleep and depart first thing in the morning.

Third Part: Arrival at Sais

The Narrator describes the journey's events: The faithful donkey died after three days in the desert. Joseph often fell, and only Mary walked on in peace carrying her child in her arms. Finally, she too got tired, and only reached Sais City out of desperation.

They went from house to house to seek shelter but harshly turned down, until they found a wretched hut owned by an Ismaelite, who took them heartily. This scene ends in love and hope, a joyous ensemble including the Ismaelite and his family, the chorus and orchestra, with Mary, Joseph and the child.

The Narrator hints the destiny that awaits the child, when ten years after, Jesus returns to Nazareth with his human parents to fulfill his destiny. The chorus solemnly reflects on the human soul, that with the help of Jesus eternal heavenly grace is available, and closes with a whispered "Amen."

Pahlen, Kurt. The World of the Oratorio, with Translations and Dox additions. Oregon: Amadeus Press, 1990

The copyright of the article Notes on Berlioz's The Childhood of Christ in Classical Music is owned by Tel Asiado. Permission to republish Notes on Berlioz's The Childhood of Christ in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.