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His mighty arm 
 In gentle murmurs I will mourn
No more to Ammon's God
These labours past
When His loud voice in thunder spoke
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Collegium Vocale Gent/Stavanger Symphony Orchestra: Jephtha (Georg Freidrich Handel, 1752) (2-CD Set)
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Georg Freidrich Händel (1685-1759)
Jephtha - An Oratorio or Sacred Drama (1752)
Libretto by Thomas Morrell
COLLEGIUM VOCALE GENT
STAVANGER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
FABIO BIONDI, conductor
James Gilchrist tenor (Jephtha)
Mona Julsrud soprano (Iphis)
Elisabeth Jansson mezzo-soprano (Storgè)
Hävard Stensvold baritone (Zebul)
Marianne B. Keilland mezzo-soprano (Hamor)
Elisabeth Rapp soprano (Angel)
"After finishing the chorus 'How dark, O Lord, are thy decrees' in February 1751, Handel noted in the autograph score that he couldn't continue his work on Jephtha because of eye problems. Later in the year, he regained his eyesight and was able to complete the work in the autumn. The problems returned however, and in January 1753 a London newspaper reported that 'Mr Handel has at length, unhappily, quite lost his sight'. Jephtha was thus to become Handel's last oratorio, and indeed his last major work. It is nevertheless no less a masterpiece than his earlier works, and contains some of his noblest music. The plot of this 'Sacred Drama' is loosely based on the story of Jephtha in the Old Testament: a father who in order to win the the Israelites' struggle against the Ammonites makes a rash promise to God, and after his victory is compelled to sacrifice his own daughter. The situation gives rise to music of touching poignancy, as well as great choral set-pieces. This rousing live performance, recorded in 2008 in the Stavanger Concert Hall, boasts a roster of soloists headed by the fine British tenor James Gilchrist as Jephtha, as well as the eminent Belgian choir Collegium Vocale Gent, all backed up by the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra. At the helm of these large forces is Fabio Biondi, the Baroque violinist and conductor who since 2005 has been artistic director of the Stavanger orchestra in the baroque and classical repertoires."
~ description excerpted from the distributor's website ~
Track Listing:
Disc 1 (80:34)
ACT ONE
1. Overture
2. Menuet
Scene 1
3. Accompagnato (Zebul): It must be so
4. Air (Zebul): Pour forth no more unheeded pray'rs
5. Chorus of Israelites: No more to Ammon's god
Scene 2
6. Recitative (Zebul, Jephtha): But Jephtha comes
7. Air (Jephtha): Virtue my soul shall still embrace
8. Recitative (Storgè): 'Twill be a painful separation
9. Air (Storgè): In gentle murmurs I will morn
Scene 3
10. Recitative (Hamor): Happy this embassy
11. Air (Hamor): Dull delay, in piercing anguish
12. Recitative (Iphis): Ill suits the voice of love
13. Air (Iphis): Take the heart you fondly love
14. Recitative (Hamor): I go, My soul, inspir'd
15. Duet (Iphis and Hamor): These labours past
Scene 4
16. Recitative (Jephtha): What mean these doubtful fancies
17. Chorus of Israelites: O God behold our sore distress
Scene 5
18. Recitative (Storgè): Some dire event
19. Air (Storgè): Scenes of horror, scenes of woe
Scene 6
20. Recitative (Iphis, Storgè): Say, my dear mother
21. Air (Iphis): The smiling down of happy days
Scene 7
22. Recitative (Zebul, Jephtha): Such, Jephtha
23. Chorus of Israelites: When His loud voice in thunder spoke
ACT TWO
Scene 1
24. Recitative (Hamor): Glad tidings of great joy
25. Chorus of Israelites: Cherub and seraphim
26. Air (Hamor): Up the dreadful steep ascending
27. Recitative (Iphis): 'Tis well
28. Air (Iphis): Tune the soft melodious lute
Scene 2
29. Recitative (Jephtha): Heav'n smiles once more
30. Air (Jephtha): His mighty arm
31. Chorus: In glory high
Disc 2 (78:14)
Scene 3
1. Symphony
2. Recitative (Iphis): Hail glorious conqueror
3. Air (Iphis) and Chorus of Virgins: Welcome as the cheerful light
4. Recitative: Jephtha: Horror, confusion!
5. Air (Jephtha): Open thy marble jaws
6. Recitative (Zebul, Jephtha): Why is my brother thus afflicted
7. Accompagnato (Storgè): First perish thou
8. Recitative (Hamor): If such thy cruel purpose
9. Air (Hamor): On me let blind mistaken zeal
10. Quartet: Oh, spare your daughter
Scene 4
11. Recitative and Accompagnato (Iphis): Such news flies swift
12. Air (Iphis): Happy they
13. Accompagnato (Jephtha): Deeper, and deeper still
14. Chorus: How dark, O Lord, are Thy decrees
ACT THREE
Scene 1
15. Accompagnato (Jeptha): Hide thou thy hated beams
16. Air (Jephtha): Waft her, angels
17. Recitative (Iphis): Ye sacred priests
18. Air (Iphis): Farewell ye limpid springs
19. Chorus of Priests: Doubtful fear and rev'rent awe
20. Symphony
21. Recitative (Angel): Rise, Jephtha
22. Air (Angel): Happy, Iphis, shal thou live
23. Arioso (Jephtha): For ever blessed be Thy holy name
24. Choris of priests: Theme sublime of endless praise
Scene 2
25. Recitative (Zebul): Let me congratulate
26. Air (Zebul): Laud her, all ye virgin train
27. Recitative (Storgè): Oh, let me fold thee
28. Air (Storgè): Sweet as sight to the blind
29. Recitative (Hamor): With transport, Iphis
30. Air (Hamor): 'Tis Heav'n's all-ruling pow'r
31. Recitative (Iphis): My faithful Hamor
32. Quintet: All that is in Hamor mine
33. Chorus of Israelites: Ye house of Gilead
34. Applause
Format: 2-CD Set
Year Released/Length: 2011 / 158:48
Record Label: BIS
Style/Genre: Oratorio w/chorus, soloists, and symphony orchestra
Voicing: Mixed
A cappella?: No
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