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Jephte

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description Jephte Overview

Jephte (Jephthah) is a Latin oratorio by Italian composer Giacomo Carissimi, believed to have been composed around 1649. The work is based on the biblical story of Jephthah from the Book of Judges, who vows to sacrifice the first thing he sees after returning from battle, only to be greeted by his daughter. The oratorio is particularly renowned for its concluding lament, "Plorate filiae Israel" (Weep, daughters of Israel), a powerful expression of grief that is considered one of the most emotionally affecting passages in early Baroque music. Jephte is regarded as a landmark in the development of the oratorio form.

help Jephte FAQ

What biblical story does Carissimi's Jephte tell?

It dramatizes the story of Jephthah from the Book of Judges. After promising God that he will sacrifice the first being to greet him if he wins a battle, Jephthah returns home and is met by his daughter.

Why is the final chorus of Jephte so famous?

The closing "Plorate filii Israel" turns the daughter's fate into a communal lament by the Israelites. Its expressive suspensions and repeated cries made it one of the best-known passages in early Baroque sacred music.

In what language is Jephte sung?

Carissimi set the work in Latin for solo voices, chorus, and continuo. It was composed in Rome around the middle of the 17th century.

How does Jephte differ from a staged opera?

The story is narrated and sung without the scenery, costumes, and physical action expected in opera. A narrator called the Historicus carries much of the plot, while soloists and chorus portray Jephthah, his daughter, and the Israelites.

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