Greene: Jephtha

Perhaps time was not particularly kind to the English composer Maurice Greene. In 1730, he was one of England's most senior musicians: organist at St. Paul's Cathedral, organist and composer of the Chapel Royal, and Professor of Music at the University of Cambridge. When he was appointed 'Master of the King's Music' in 1735, he held all the major posts in the kingdom. Of course, the overwhelming presence of George Frideric Handel in London at that time certainly played a major role in Greene's relative obscurity. His second attempt at an oratorio, "Jephtha", in 1737, marks the first successful foray by an Englishman into this genre. It is a captivating work, full of attractive, varied arias and choruses, powerfully emotionally accompanied recitatives, and spirited orchestral passages. The account of Jephtha from the Book of Judges, chapter 11, tells the story of a fearless Israelite warrior who is recalled from exile to fight for his people. He is not only a man of great courage but—as it turns out, thanks to an impulsive and fateful promise—also of deep honor, destined to take his place as a worthy ruler. Christian Curnyn leads the troupe of the Early Opera Company with an impressive cast of soloists: Andrew Staples takes on the role of Jephtha, supported by Mary Bevan, Michael Mofidian, and Jeremy Budd.