Oratorio

The Mysteries of Joy is an oratorio with the subtitle Scenes from the early life of Christ. It is in five scenes:

I    The Annunciation - the angel Gabriel tells Mary she is to bear the Messiah.

II   The Visitation - Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is carrying John the Baptist in her womb.

III The Nativity - angels, shepherds and wise men celebrate the birth of Jesus.

IV  The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple - old Simeon salutes the young Jesus

V    The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple - Mary and Joseph find their son talking with the elders

The libretto of the oratorio is by Christopher Loveless, and was originally conceived as part one of a larger work based on the Rosary. It was first performed in 2010.

The work is scored for SATB chorus, six soloists (two sopranos, contralto, tenor, baritone and boy treble), and a chamber ensemble consisting of piano, violin, cello, double bass, flute, clarinet and timpani.