A SYNOPSIS OF BELSHAZZAR

Scene 1

The palace in Babylon

Nitocris reflects on the rise and fall of human empire: only God remains unchanged.

Scene 2

The camp of Cyrus before Babylon. A view of the city, with the River Euphrates running through it. Cyrus, Gobryas, Medes, and Persians.

The Babylonians, from the walls of the city, deride Cyrus's attempts to take the city by siege. Gobryas regrets that Babylon appears to be impregnable, equipped with ample supplies and protected from attack by the River Euphrates, and laments the death of his son, killed by Belshazzar. In his distress, he takes refuge only in thoughts of revenge. Cyrus tells him to dry his “unavailing tears” and reveals a plan that he received in a dream for the defeat of their enemies. It involves taking the city by diverting the river and entering on the river-bed: in the vision, Cyrus was told to conquer the city, rebuild it, and liberate the captive Jews. Gobryas confirms that the river could be temporarily diverted into a reservoir at the west of the city, originally used when the Euphrates was drained in order to build the city's fortifications: but even if they entered through the river channel, they would still be faced with the city's gates. Cyrus reminds Gobryas that the Babylonians will be celebrating their God Sesach that night, with a feast involving much drunkenness and revelry: they might be temporarily negligent over their defenses. Cyrus determines to attempt his plan. He intends to “proceed in nothing with neglect of power divine,” and the chorus endorse the wisdom of his approach.

Scene 3

Daniel's house. Daniel, with the Prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah open before him; other Jews.

Daniel tells his fellow Jews to look forward to the end of their captivity: Isaiah had predicted that Cyrus would release them and rebuild Jerusalem.

Scene 4

The palace. Belshazzar, Nitocris, Babylonians, and Jews.

Belshazzar announces, with relish, that the accustomed feast will be celebrated that night, but his mother is disturbed by the prospect of the licentiousness that traditionally accompanies the occasion. The Jews present also cast a shadow of disapproval over the prospect of the feast and Belshazzar, provoked, insults them by announcing that the sacred vessels taken from the Temple in Jerusalem will be used to hold the wine. The Jews remind Belshazzar that death is the punishment for sacrilege, and Nitocris appeals to her son to take the warning seriously. But Belshazzar dismisses the “Jewish superstition” and is all impatience for the Feast to begin. The Jews anticipate divine retribution against Belshazzar.

Part II

Scene 1

Without the city, the river almost empty.

The diversion of the Euphrates has been successful, and Cyrus leads his forces into the city.

They descend into the River.

Scene 2

A banquet room, adorned with the Images of the Babylonian Gods. Belshazzar, his concubines and Lords, drinking out of the Jewish Temple-Vessels, and singing the Praises of their Gods.

At the height of the feast, Belshazzar takes a bowl of wine (presumably the “temple vessels” are in use) and challenges the God of Judah to assert his rights.

As he is going to drink, a Hand appears writing upon the wall over-against him; he sees it, turns pale with fear, drops the bowl of wine, falls back in his seat, trembling from head to foot, and his knees knocking against each other.

The Babylonians rush to Belshazzar's assistance, puzzled about the cause of his behavior (since the writing is behind them). Belshazzar responds by pointing to the Hand upon the wall, which, while they gaze at it with astonishment, finishes the writing, and vanishes.

Everyone is puzzled by this “dire portentous sight”: Belshazzar sends for the assistance of wise men and soothsayers to interpret the writing. (A “Postillions” symphony represents the distribution of Belshazzar's command.) The wise men acknowledge their failure to understand the “characters” of the writing. Nitocris remembers that the Jewish captives include Daniel, who has successfully undertaken difficult tasks of this nature in the past, and persuades Belshazzar to summon him.

Daniel duly appears, and dismisses Belshazzar's offers of rewards to interpret the writing but, after berating Belshazzar for his blasphemy, he undertakes the interpretation, by God's command. He reads the words as “Mene, Tekel, Uphasin” (the last also with the variant as a passive participle “Peres”) and interprets them as a prophecy: Belshazzar's reign is ended, Belshazzar himself is “found wanting,” and his kingdom is lost, divided between the Medes and Persians. Nitocris exhorts her son to repentance.

Scene 3

Cyrus, Gobryas, etc., within the city.

Cyrus offers thanks to God for his success so far: the river-bed entry was successful and the gates were found open. He bids Gobryas lead his forces to the palace, confident that they will meet little effective resistance. He discourages them from “needless slaughter”: once Belshazzar is killed, Cyrus hopes to rule his empire benevolently. His followers respond with a chorus anticipating the blessings of his reign.

Part III

Scene 1

The Palace. Nitocris, Daniel, Jews

Nitocris still cherishes a hope that Belshazzar will save himself by repentance, but Daniel can hold out no hopes of a change in Belshazzar's character. They receive news of the interruption of the feast by the arrival of the Persian forces: Cyrus is even now within the palace. The Jews salute the Lord's triumph over the forces of the heathen gods.

Scene 2

Another part of the Palace. Belshazzar, his Lords, and other Babylonians, with their swords drawn.

Belshazzar, fortified by the wine, leads his forces to challenge Cyrus.

A martial symphony, during which a battle is supposed, in which Belshazzar and his attendants are slain.

Scene 3

Cyrus, Gobryas, etc.

Gobryas gives thanks to God for the victory, and then to Cyrus for avenging his son's death. Cyrus sends Gobryas to seek out Nitocris and Daniel, and commands a limit to “destructive war.”

Re-enter Gobryas, with Nitocris, Daniel, and Jews.

Nitocris appeals to Cyrus to spare the people: Cyrus re-assures her, and offers himself as a replacement for the son that she has lost. Daniel hands Cyrus Isaiah's prophecy, which he reads. Having defeated Belshazzar, Cyrus determines to fulfill the remainder of the prophecy by releasing the Jews from captivity so that they can return to Jerusalem. Cyrus will restore the city of Jerusalem and rebuild the temple there. The oratorio concludes with an anthem offering general praise to God.

Synopsis courtesy of Novello & Co. Ltd.