While Saul stands at the beginning of Handel’s dramatic oratorios, Jephtha forms their conclusion. George Frideric Handel was 66 years old at the time of composition, in failing health, and yet continued to work tirelessly. Jeptha—who almost sacrifices his beloved, simply because he has forgotten how not to suffer—displays a sense of duty that might have been familiar to him. The Israeli war hero Jephtha returns triumphantly from the battle against the Ammonites. Should he win, he had vowed to sacrifice the first thing he encountered upon his return home, to God. But when Jephtha returns, the first thing that rushes to meet him is, unfortunately, his beloved daughter Iphis. Jephtha is determined to carry out his terrible vow, and sacrifice his daughter. Iphis also humbly submits to her fate. However, an angel intervenes to stop the sacrifice, and Iphis only need dedicate her life to the Lord. Thus Jephtha’s vow remains unbroken, Iphis can stay alive, and everyone is overjoyed.

Jephtha is George Frideric Handel’s last oratorio, consisting largely of newly composed material. Despite various borrowings from other compositions, the characters are musically clearly drawn: The brave Jephtha, the youthful Iphis, the grief-burdened mother Storgè—all are clearly expressed through Handel's tonal language alone.

The experienced baroque specialist Christian Curnyn unleashes the full theatrical power of the work in his conducting and in its performance. This is due in no small part to the British tenor Andrew Staples, who lends his sincere voice to Jephtha with a powerful, clear timbre.

By the way: Don't miss it - George Frideric Handel's Jephtha will only be performed once in concert at the Komische Oper Berlin!