Handel's Jephtha at the Barbican

Handel's Jephtha at the Barbican

Handel’s last oratorio presents, amongst the composer’s catalogue of undeniable masterpieces, a masterwork of stunning stature. Not a note is misplaced in Jephtha: long though it is (more of that later), everything is perfectly proportioned, drama and music hand-in-hand. Thomas Morell’s text has a huge part to play in the success of Handel’s masterpiece, of course, Talking of drama, there is a tendency to stage Handel oratorios of late, and Alla…

Handel’s Jephtha at the Barbican

Handel’s last oratorio presents, as amongst the composer’s catalogue of undeniable masterpieces, a masterwork of stunning stature. Not a note is misplaced in Jephtha: long though it is (more of that later), everything is perfectly proportioned, drama and music hand-in-hand. Thomas Morell’s text has a huge part to play in the success of Handel’s masterpiece, of course. Talking of drama, there is a tendency to stage Handel oratorios of late, and A…