Part 1

An announcement is made that a new Pharaoh has come to the throne of Egypt who does not look kindly on the Israelites. God chooses Moses to lead the Israelites out of bondage. A series of plagues falls on Egypt: the rivers turn to blood; a plague of frogs covers the land; blotches and blisters break out on the skin of cattle and people; flies and lice swarm everywhere; locusts appear and destroy all the crops; hailstorms blight the country; a palpable darkness descends; and, finally, the eldest born sons of all the Egyptians are struck down dead. The ruler of Egypt agrees to let the Israelites depart, but changes his mind and pursues them. The Red Sea miraculously parts to let the Israelites cross in safety but, when the pursuing Egyptians try to cross, the waters close back in to engulf them and they are drowned.

Part 2

The Israelites celebrate their deliverance, along with an element of the recounting of the story of Part 1. A series of joyful choruses and reflective arias and duets are included in the second part, with the piece concluding with a soprano solo and chorus proclaiming that The Lord Shall Reign For Ever And Ever and The Horse And The Rider Hath He Thrown Into The Sea.