Jephté
Jephté (Jephtha) is an
In 1735, the soprano who had premiered Iphise, Catherine-Nicole Lemaure, was forced to appear in that year's revival via threats of imprisonment if she would not do so; therefore, she intentionally bombed the performance and was booed at by the audience.[1][2] She was detained overnight at For-l'Évêque, a Parisian prison, until she returned the next night to sing the role correctly.[1]
Roles
Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast |
---|---|---|
Jephté | bass
|
Claude-Louis-Dominique Chassé de Chinais |
Iphise | soprano | Catherine-Nicole Le Maure |
Ammon | haute-contre | Denis-François Tribou |
Phinée | bass | Jean Dun |
Abdon | haute-contre | |
Almasie | soprano | Marie Antier |
Abner | bass | |
Élise | soprano |
Synopsis
Prologue
La Verité (Truth) tells the false pagan gods, Apollo, Venus and Polyhymnia to go to Elysium with their fellows,for their time is over. Verité thanks them for their service on Earth preparing the way for the worship of the true God. They leave,lamenting as to the end of the Golden Age.
Act One
The high priest Phinée chooses Jephté as leader of the
Act Two
The leader of the Ephraimites, Ammon, is a captive in Jephtha's palace. He refuses the urging of his follower, Abner, to escape because he has fallen in love with Jephtha's daughter, Iphise. Iphise guiltily confesses to her mother that she is in love with Ammon too. News arrives of Jephté's victory in battle.
Act Three
Jephté is horrified when the first person he sees as he arrives home is Iphise. He tells her of his vow and she prepares herself to be sacrificed, in spite of Ammon's entreaties.
Act Four
Iphise laments her fate but is resigned to death. Ammon swears he will lead his army to save her but she rejects his offer.
Act Five
The Israelites prepare the sacrifice in the temple. Ammon and his men burst in but they are struck by a bolt of fire from Heaven. The priest Phinéé declares God is pleased with Iphise and her life is spared.
Recordings
- Jephté (first version), Jacques Bona, Sophie Daneman, Nicolas Rivenq, Claire Brua, Mark Padmore. Les Arts Florissants, conducted by William Christie (Harmonia Mundi, 1992)
- Jephté (last version 1737), Tassis Christoyannis, Judith Van Wanroij, Chantal Santon, Jeffery Campent, Purcell Choir, Orfeo Orchestra, conducted by György Vashegyi (Glossa 2019). Diapason d’or
Sources
- The Viking Opera Guide ed. Holden (Viking, 1993)
- Le magazine de l'opéra baroque by Jean-Claude Brenac
- Casaglia, Gherardo (2005). "Jephté, 28 February 1732". L'Almanacco di Gherardo Casaglia (in Italian).
References
- ^ ISBN 9780195337655.
- ^ Julie Anne Sadie, Guide de la Musique baroque', Fayard1995 p. 156