ThecantataNaomi and Ruth, Op. 27, is a nonliturgical work, written byMario Castelnuovo-Tedesco in 1947.[1]
It is subtitled "small cantata for woman's voice on thebook of Ruth" and its text is inEnglish. The composer described the work as autobiographical with thesoprano, Naomi, representing his mother and thechoir, Ruth, his wife. The work is representative of the Judaic inspiration of the composer.
The first performance took place inLos Angeles in 1949. Performance lasts approximately ten minutes.
After intermission, the Chorale's women and orchestra joined forces with mezzo-soprano, Ava Baker Liss as soloist in Mario Castelnuovo Tedesco's cantata, Naomi and Ruth. This was sung in English. The soloist was cast in the role of Naomi, while the chorus represented both the narrator and Ruth, climaxing with those memorable words of loyalty and devotion, "Whither thou goest, I will go. And where thou lodgest, I will lodge. Thy people shall be my people, and thy God, my God."