MOSES Facing Jordan

Synopsis

At the end of his long life, Moses has arrived at the Jordan River.

He can see across it to the promised land. But he hears God's voice again: telling him that he may not cross the river; he shall be gathered to his people.

All of the libretto is taken from passages in the Books of Moses, with various translations into English.

The oratorio looks back in roughly a reverse chronology, beginning with the call to death at the river and ending with being given life, drawn as a baby from another river and given a name, Moses.