Jephtha

The Reverend Thomas Morell wrote this libretto to be set to music by George Frederick Handel. It was first performed at Covent Garden Theatre in London in 1752. The story is taken from the Old Testament book of Judges. Jephtha, a military leader of the Israelites, swears an oath to the Almighty that if he is granted victory he will sacrifice the first living creature he meets on his return. Tragically his daughter Iphis is the first to greet him leaving him with the choice between killing his ow