Cantata Ebraica in Dialogo

On the night of a Jewish holy day - the Hosha'na Rabbah vigil (as revealed in the 6th stanza) - a passer-by is surprised at the spectacle of a group of people chanting hymns to the glory of God and "redoubling" in joy and fervour. They belong to the "Watchers of the Dawn" fraternity as the final verse clearly shows. He questions them about the reason for their enthusiasm. The members of the confraternity reply and the dialogue between the solo voice (the passer-by) and the choir ("Watchers of the Dawn") tells us that they are celebrating the anniversary of the foundation of their confraternity.