Handel: Jephtha

George Frideric Handel, widely considered one of the foremost composers of his generation, became the pride of Britain despite the fact that he was German-born. Famed for his large-scale vocal works, he was the inventor of the English oratorio, a genre that brought him much success. Jephtha was Handel's final oratorio, written in 1751 while the composer was suffering badly from his failing eyesight. Based on the tale of Jephtha from the Book of Judges, the title character makes a promise to God that, in the event that he should triumph over the Ammonites, he will sacrifice the first living creature he meets. Unluckily this proves to be his beloved daughter, Iphis. As in the Renaissance version of the story, Iphis is saved by an angel who decrees that, instead of dying, Iphis will dedicate her life to God in the Temple. In the title role is renowned British lyric tenor John Mark Ainsley, who continues to enjoy an active international career. German soprano Christiane Oelze plays the doomed Iphis, while contralto Catherine Denley takes on the role of her cautious mother, Storge. Other information: - Recorded in June 1992, Kirche 'Zur frohen Botschaft', Berlin-Karlshorst - One of the best recordings of Handel's large scale and impressive oratorio Jephtha, played on period instruments by the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin conducted by specialist Markus Creed, and a splendid cast of soloists: John Mark Ainsley, Christianne Oelze, Catherine Denley and Michael George.