Dèbora e Jaéle

Dèbora e Jaéle (Deborah and Jael) is an opera in three acts composed by Ildebrando Pizzetti who also wrote the libretto.

However, it differs in several ways from the traditional Biblical account, primarily in the motivations of its characters and the relationships between them.

Mara sings of the son she has lost at the hands of the Canaanites and stirs Jael's conscience.

The Israelites defeat the Canaanites in battle and Sisera seeks refuge in Jael's tent.

But, as an Israelite mob approaches, Jael kills Sisera in his sleep to save him from a worse death.

Set design by Angelo Parravicini