exceedingly interesting work. It was first performed under Haydn's
direction by the Tonkunstler Societat, with solo singers from Esterbaz,
at Vienna, on April 2, 1775. In 1784 Haydn added two choruses, one a
"Storm Chorus," which is sometimes confused with the "Storm Chorus" (in
the same key, but in triple time) composed during his sojourn in London.
It is from "Il Ritorno di Tobia" that the so-called motet, "Insanae et
Vanae Curae," is adapted, and the "Storm Chorus" immediately follows
a fine soprano air in F minor and major, sung by Anna in the original
work, a portion of which forms the beautiful second subject (in F)
of the "Insanae." The original words of this chorus--"Svanisce in un
momento"--are to the effect that the soul threatens to yield to the
fury of its enemies, yet trust in God keeps one steadfast. The music
admirably reflects these contrasting sentiments, first in the tumultuous
D minor section, and then in the tranquillity of the F major portion
which follows, no less than in the trustful quietude of the D major
conclusion. Latin words were adapted to three of the original choruses,
but nothing seems to be known as to the origin of the "Insanae"
adaptation. A full score of the motet, published by Breitkopf & Hartel
in 1809, was reviewed in the Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung of August
15, 1810, as if it were an entirely original work. The source of the
Latin words also remains a mystery. They were presumably put together to
fit Haydn's music, but by whom we have no means of ascertaining.

It is interesting to know that Haydn brought the score of his "Il
Ritorno di Tobia" with him to England on the occasion of his first visit
in 1791, probably with a view to its performance here. Messrs Novello's
private library contains an oblong volume in the handwriting of Vincent
Novello, in which he has copied some numbers from "Tobia," including the
air of Anna already mentioned, but not the "Insanae" chorus. The inside
cover of the book bears the following note in Novello's hand, written,
not later than 1820, under the contents of the volume:

"The whole of the above are unpublished manuscripts, and were copied
from an extremely rare volume, containing the full orchestral score of
the entire oratorio, kindly lent to me for the purpose by my friend, Mr
Shield, who had obtained it from Haydn himself during the visit of the
latter to England in the year 1791.--VINCENT NOVELLO, 240 Oxford St."

[See an interesting