Handel Jephtha

When Jephthah a biblical parable adapted from the Book of Judges begins the people of Israel are under the yoke of neighbouring nations which pillage and oppress them Jephthah destined to become their saviour has grown up in the desert until becoming a powerful military leader On leaving for battle he swears to the god Jehovah that he will sacrifice the first person he meets on his way home Alas as he returns victorious it is Iphis his only daughter who comes to meet him Claus Guth directs this oratorio in which griefstricken voices interweave as they confront an apocalyptic situation