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The subject matter of the oratorio is the story of Deborah, Judge and Prophetess of Israel, as recorded in the Old Testament book of Judges. The libretto, written by Maggie Stearns, was taken specifically from the forth and fifth chapters of the book. Bearing as its title the Hebrew name D'VORAH, the result of Soli Deo Gloria's first commission was a 50-minute oratorio infused with jazz, gospel, rock, blues, and classical elements scored for orchestra, chorus, and vocal soloists.
The world premiere of D'VORAH took place in March of 1998 in Haifa, Israel, with the Haifa
Symphony Orchestra, the Oslo Gospel Choir, and soloists Elizabeth Norman, Maysa Leak, Hillary Crute-Johnson, Gregory Hopkins, and Frank Mitchell. The work was welcomed by enthusiastic audiences in each of its five sold out performances. On the night of the fifth and final performance, the last notes of the work were followed by the prolonged and rapturous applause of the Israeli audience demanding two encores in which they joined in spontaneous rhythmic clapping! Reflecting on the experience, Soli Deo Gloria's Artistic Director John Nelson later commented, "The privilege of going to Israel to do a piece written by an Israeli-American composer, based on the African American worship style played by an Israeli orchestra, sung by the Oslo Gospel Choir, and five African American soloists--that says it all. The sense of community that was expressed by this performance was awesome, awesome! ...I shall never forget that as long as I live."
Later in the year D'VORAH received its U.S. premiere with the National Symphony and the Morgan State University Choir again under the direction of John Nelson. This American performance took place in the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. The piece was presented by the symphony to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the creation of the state of Israel.
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