Jephté (Jephtha) is an opera by the French composer Michel Pignolet de Montéclair. It takes the form of a tragédie en musique in a prologue and five acts (because of its subject matter it was also styled a tragédie biblique). The libretto, by the Abbé Simon-Joseph Pellegrin, is based on the Biblical story of Jephtha. The oratorio was first performed at the Académie royale de musique, Paris on 28 February 1732. It was the first opera in France using a story from the Bible to appear on a public stage. For this reason, Cardinal de Noailles banned performances of the work for a time. Montéclair made revisions for revivals of the work in March 1732 and April 1737.
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]
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 Israelites as they prepare to attack the people of Ephraim. Jephté vows to God to sacrifice the first person he sees on his return from battle if he is victorious.
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.
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
^ abMacy, Laura Williams; Weller, Phillip (2008). The Grove Book of Opera Singers. Oxford University Press. p. 277. ISBN9780195337655.
^Julie Anne Sadie, Guide de la Musique baroque', Fayard1995 p. 156
May 04, 2023
jephté, jephtha, opera, french, composer, michel, pignolet, montéclair, takes, form, tragédie, musique, prologue, five, acts, because, subject, matter, also, styled, tragédie, biblique, libretto, abbé, simon, joseph, pellegrin, based, biblical, story, jephtha,. Jephte Jephtha is an opera by the French composer Michel Pignolet de Monteclair It takes the form of a tragedie en musique in a prologue and five acts because of its subject matter it was also styled a tragedie biblique The libretto by the Abbe Simon Joseph Pellegrin is based on the Biblical story of Jephtha The oratorio was first performed at the Academie royale de musique Paris on 28 February 1732 It was the first opera in France using a story from the Bible to appear on a public stage For this reason Cardinal de Noailles banned performances of the work for a time Monteclair made revisions for revivals of the work in March 1732 and April 1737 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 Eveque a Parisian prison until she returned the next night to sing the role correctly 1 Contents 1 Roles 2 Synopsis 2 1 Prologue 2 2 Act One 2 3 Act Two 2 4 Act Three 2 5 Act Four 2 6 Act Five 3 Recordings 4 Sources 5 ReferencesRoles EditRole Voice type Premiere CastJephte bass Claude Louis Dominique Chasse de ChinaisIphise soprano Catherine Nicole Le MaureAmmon haute contre Denis Francois TribouPhinee bass Jean DunAbdon haute contreAlmasie soprano Marie AntierAbner bassElise sopranoSynopsis EditPrologue Edit La Verite Truth tells the false pagan gods Apollo Venus and Polyhymnia to go to Elysium with their fellows for their time is over Verite 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 Edit The high priest Phinee chooses Jephte as leader of the Israelites as they prepare to attack the people of Ephraim Jephte vows to God to sacrifice the first person he sees on his return from battle if he is victorious Act Two Edit 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 Jephte s victory in battle Act Three Edit Jephte 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 Edit 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 Edit 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 Phinee declares God is pleased with Iphise and her life is spared Recordings EditJephte first version Jacques Bona Sophie Daneman Nicolas Rivenq Claire Brua Mark Padmore Les Arts Florissants conducted by William Christie Harmonia Mundi 1992 Jephte last version 1737 Tassis Christoyannis Judith Van Wanroij Chantal Santon Jeffery Campent Purcell Choir Orfeo Orchestra conducted by Gyorgy Vashegyi Glossa 2019 Diapason d orSources EditThe Viking Opera Guide ed Holden Viking 1993 Le magazine de l opera baroque by Jean Claude Brenac Casaglia Gherardo 2005 Jephte 28 February 1732 L Almanacco di Gherardo Casaglia in Italian References Edit a b Macy Laura Williams Weller Phillip 2008 The Grove Book of Opera Singers Oxford University Press p 277 ISBN 9780195337655 Julie Anne Sadie Guide de la Musique baroque Fayard1995 p 156 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jephte amp oldid 1136601963, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
