Starter Packs

Complete your collection with these curated titles, grouped at a special discount.

Shop Now
Chandos

Greene: Jephtha

$43.99

Details

Composer
Maurice Greene
Artist
Early Opera Company, Christian Curnyn
Format
SACD
Label
Chandos
Released
Apr 18, 2025
Catalog #
CHSA 0408(2)
UPC
0095115040829

About

The passage of time has perhaps been unkind to the English composer Maurice Greene. By 1730 he was one of the most senior musicians in England: Organist at St Paul's Cathedral, Organist and Composer to 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 every significant appointment in the Kingdom. Of course, the overwhelming presence of Handel in London at the time most certainly played a significant part in Greene's relative obscurity. His second attempt at oratorio, Jephtha, in 1737, marks the first successful foray by an Englishman in this genre. Brimming with attractively varied airs and choruses, powerfully emotive accompanied recitatives, and spirited orchestral movements, it is an engaging work. Taken from the Book of Judges, chapter 11, the account of Jephtha tells the story of a fearless Israelite warrior recalled from exile to fight for his people, a man not only of great valour but, as it transpires - thanks to an impulsive and fateful pledge - of profound honour, too, destined to assume his place as their worthy ruler. Christian Curnyn directs his Early Opera Company forces with a dazzling cast of soloists: Andrew Staples takes the part of Jephtha, joined by Mary Bevan, Michael Mofidian, and Jeremy Budd.

Tracklist 41 tracks

  1. Disc 1
  2. 1 Ouverture 03:37
    Track
    1
    Title
    Ouverture
    Duration
    03:37
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  3. 2 Part I Scene 1: Ye sons of Gilead, seek the Lord (Chorus) 03:13
    Track
    2
    Title
    Part I Scene 1: Ye sons of Gilead, seek the Lord (Chorus)
    Duration
    03:13
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Chorus, Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  4. 3 Part I Scene 1: Recitative: Jair, great judge of Israel, is no more (First and Second Elders) 01:12
    Track
    3
    Title
    Part I Scene 1: Recitative: Jair, great judge of Israel, is no more (First and Second Elders)
    Duration
    01:12
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Michael Mofidian, Jeremy Budd
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  5. 4 Part I Scene 2: Accompanied Recitative: O mighty leader, see, beneath thy feet (First Elder) 01:53
    Track
    4
    Title
    Part I Scene 2: Accompanied Recitative: O mighty leader, see, beneath thy feet (First Elder)
    Duration
    01:53
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Michael Mofidian
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  6. 5 Part I Scene 2: Air: Where are your Gods, your idol-train (Jephtha) 05:12
    Track
    5
    Title
    Part I Scene 2: Air: Where are your Gods, your idol-train (Jephtha)
    Duration
    05:12
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Andrew Staples
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  7. 6 Part I Scene 2: Recitative: Shameful remembrance! (First Elder) 00:50
    Track
    6
    Title
    Part I Scene 2: Recitative: Shameful remembrance! (First Elder)
    Duration
    00:50
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  8. 7 Part I Scene 2: Duet: O think what joy to him is giv'n (Second and First Elders) 02:20
    Track
    7
    Title
    Part I Scene 2: Duet: O think what joy to him is giv'n (Second and First Elders)
    Duration
    02:20
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Michael Mofidian
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  9. 8 Part I Scene 2: Recitative: Ill doth my native land such grace deserve (Jephtha, Second Elder) 01:02
    Track
    8
    Title
    Part I Scene 2: Recitative: Ill doth my native land such grace deserve (Jephtha, Second Elder)
    Duration
    01:02
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Andrew Staples, Jeremy Budd
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  10. 9 Part I Scene 2: Air: Against these new alarms (Second Elder) 03:38
    Track
    9
    Title
    Part I Scene 2: Air: Against these new alarms (Second Elder)
    Duration
    03:38
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Jeremy Budd
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  11. 10 Part I Scene 2: Recitative: Hence, shameless men! Compassion would be guilt (Jephtha, Second Elder, Chorus) 00:28
    Track
    10
    Title
    Part I Scene 2: Recitative: Hence, shameless men! Compassion would be guilt (Jephtha, Second Elder, Chorus)
    Duration
    00:28
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Andrew Staples, Jeremy Budd
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Chorus, Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  12. 11 Part I Scene 2: Air: Pity soothing melts the soul (Jephtha) 04:28
    Track
    11
    Title
    Part I Scene 2: Air: Pity soothing melts the soul (Jephtha)
    Duration
    04:28
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Andrew Staples
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  13. 12 Part I Scene 2: Recitative: Cherish that pity, 'tis a godlike guest (First Elder) 00:36
    Track
    12
    Title
    Part I Scene 2: Recitative: Cherish that pity, 'tis a godlike guest (First Elder)
    Duration
    00:36
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Michael Mofidian
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  14. 13 Part I Scene 2: Our orayers with God acceptance find (Chorus) 01:24
    Track
    13
    Title
    Part I Scene 2: Our orayers with God acceptance find (Chorus)
    Duration
    01:24
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Chorus, Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  15. 14 Part I Scene 2: Recitative: Thought I your vow'd repentance were sincere (Jephtha, First Elder) 00:40
    Track
    14
    Title
    Part I Scene 2: Recitative: Thought I your vow'd repentance were sincere (Jephtha, First Elder)
    Duration
    00:40
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Andrew Staples, Michael Mofidian
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  16. 15 Part I Scene 2: Thou, universal Lord (Chorus) 03:22
    Track
    15
    Title
    Part I Scene 2: Thou, universal Lord (Chorus)
    Duration
    03:22
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Chorus, Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  17. 16 Part I Scene 2: Recitative: No more, with joy I undertake your cause (Jephtha) 00:37
    Track
    16
    Title
    Part I Scene 2: Recitative: No more, with joy I undertake your cause (Jephtha)
    Duration
    00:37
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Andrew Staples
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  18. 17 Part I Scene 2: Air: God of hosts, whom we adore (Jephtha) 02:01
    Track
    17
    Title
    Part I Scene 2: Air: God of hosts, whom we adore (Jephtha)
    Duration
    02:01
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Andrew Staples
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  19. 18 Part I Scene 2: Accompanied Recitative: There, what first shall meet my eye (Jephtha) 01:40
    Track
    18
    Title
    Part I Scene 2: Accompanied Recitative: There, what first shall meet my eye (Jephtha)
    Duration
    01:40
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Andrew Staples
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  20. 19 Part I Scene 2: God of hosts, whom we adore (Chorus) 02:02
    Track
    19
    Title
    Part I Scene 2: God of hosts, whom we adore (Chorus)
    Duration
    02:02
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Chorus, Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  21. Disc 2
  22. 1 Part II Scene 1: Symphony 01:03
    Track
    1
    Title
    Part II Scene 1: Symphony
    Duration
    01:03
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  23. 2 Part II Scene 1: The foes of Gilead are no more (Chorus) 02:12
    Track
    2
    Title
    Part II Scene 1: The foes of Gilead are no more (Chorus)
    Duration
    02:12
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Chorus, Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  24. 3 Part II Scene 1: Air: O God, we own Thy mighty hand (Jephtha) 02:09
    Track
    3
    Title
    Part II Scene 1: Air: O God, we own Thy mighty hand (Jephtha)
    Duration
    02:09
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Andrew Staples
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  25. 4 Part II Scene 1: Be all the fame (Chorus) 00:22
    Track
    4
    Title
    Part II Scene 1: Be all the fame (Chorus)
    Duration
    00:22
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Chorus, Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  26. 5 Part II Scene 1: Air, Duet, Chorus: Awake, awake each joyful strain (Jephtha's Daughter, Soprano, Chorus) 03:33
    Track
    5
    Title
    Part II Scene 1: Air, Duet, Chorus: Awake, awake each joyful strain (Jephtha's Daughter, Soprano, Chorus)
    Duration
    03:33
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Mary Bevan, Jessica Cale
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Chorus, Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  27. 6 Part II Scene 2: Accompanied Recitative: What do I see, O Heav'n? (Jephtha, Jephtha's Daughter) 01:19
    Track
    6
    Title
    Part II Scene 2: Accompanied Recitative: What do I see, O Heav'n? (Jephtha, Jephtha's Daughter)
    Duration
    01:19
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Andrew Staples, Mary Bevan
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  28. 7 Part II Scene 2: Air: Ah! My foreboding fears (Jephtha's Daughter) 07:55
    Track
    7
    Title
    Part II Scene 2: Air: Ah! My foreboding fears (Jephtha's Daughter)
    Duration
    07:55
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Mary Bevan
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  29. 8 Part II Scene 2: Recitative: O Heav'n! With pity view a father's fondness (Jephtha) 00:43
    Track
    8
    Title
    Part II Scene 2: Recitative: O Heav'n! With pity view a father's fondness (Jephtha)
    Duration
    00:43
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Andrew Staples
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  30. 9 Part II Scene 2: Air: Thou sweetest joy by Heav'n bestow'd (Jephtha) 03:37
    Track
    9
    Title
    Part II Scene 2: Air: Thou sweetest joy by Heav'n bestow'd (Jephtha)
    Duration
    03:37
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Andrew Staples
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  31. 10 Part II Scene 2: Recitative: O speak, disclose my doom, I stand prepar'd (Jephtha's Daughter, Jephtha) 01:00
    Track
    10
    Title
    Part II Scene 2: Recitative: O speak, disclose my doom, I stand prepar'd (Jephtha's Daughter, Jephtha)
    Duration
    01:00
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Mary Bevan, Andrew Staples
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  32. 11 Part II Scene 2: Air: If I thy grief (Jephtha's Daughter) 07:29
    Track
    11
    Title
    Part II Scene 2: Air: If I thy grief (Jephtha's Daughter)
    Duration
    07:29
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Mary Bevan
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  33. 12 Part II Scene 2: Recitative: O blot me from thy mind (Jephtha's Daughter, Jephtha) 00:41
    Track
    12
    Title
    Part II Scene 2: Recitative: O blot me from thy mind (Jephtha's Daughter, Jephtha)
    Duration
    00:41
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Mary Bevan, Andrew Staples
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  34. 13 Part II Scene 2: Air: O Thou most dear (Jephtha) 04:36
    Track
    13
    Title
    Part II Scene 2: Air: O Thou most dear (Jephtha)
    Duration
    04:36
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Andrew Staples
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  35. 14 Part II Scene 2: Accompanied Recitative: I vow'd, before I fought the war (Jephtha) 01:21
    Track
    14
    Title
    Part II Scene 2: Accompanied Recitative: I vow'd, before I fought the war (Jephtha)
    Duration
    01:21
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Andrew Staples
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  36. 15 Part II Scene 2: O God of Might! What means this stroke? (Chorus) 01:29
    Track
    15
    Title
    Part II Scene 2: O God of Might! What means this stroke? (Chorus)
    Duration
    01:29
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Chorus, Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  37. 16 Part II Scene 2: Air: But oh! behold the princely pair (First Elder) 03:27
    Track
    16
    Title
    Part II Scene 2: Air: But oh! behold the princely pair (First Elder)
    Duration
    03:27
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Michael Mofidian
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  38. 17 Part II Scene 2: But see! The dreadful conflict's o'er (Chorus) 01:36
    Track
    17
    Title
    Part II Scene 2: But see! The dreadful conflict's o'er (Chorus)
    Duration
    01:36
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Chorus, Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  39. 18 Part II Scene 2: Accompanied recitative: Can Heav'n delight in guiltless blood? (Jephtha, Jephtha's Daughter, Chorus) 03:05
    Track
    18
    Title
    Part II Scene 2: Accompanied recitative: Can Heav'n delight in guiltless blood? (Jephtha, Jephtha's Daughter, Chorus)
    Duration
    03:05
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Andrew Staples, Mary Bevan
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Chorus, Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  40. 19 Part II Scene 2: Air: Let me awhile defer my fate (Jephtha's Daughter) 02:03
    Track
    19
    Title
    Part II Scene 2: Air: Let me awhile defer my fate (Jephtha's Daughter)
    Duration
    02:03
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Mary Bevan
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  41. 20 Part II Scene 2: Accompanied Recitative: Go, and with humble tears, and ceaseless prayers (Jephtha) 01:03
    Track
    20
    Title
    Part II Scene 2: Accompanied Recitative: Go, and with humble tears, and ceaseless prayers (Jephtha)
    Duration
    01:03
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Andrew Staples
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  42. 21 Part II Scene 2: Duet: Here let me hold Thee to my heart (Jephtha, Jephtha's Daughter. Chorus) 02:16
    Track
    21
    Title
    Part II Scene 2: Duet: Here let me hold Thee to my heart (Jephtha, Jephtha's Daughter. Chorus)
    Duration
    02:16
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Performer
    Andrew Staples, Mary Bevan
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Chorus, Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn
  43. 22 Part II Scene 2: Israel's daughters, a fair virgin train (Chorus) 05:09
    Track
    22
    Title
    Part II Scene 2: Israel's daughters, a fair virgin train (Chorus)
    Duration
    05:09
    Composer
    Maurice Greene
    Ensemble
    Early Opera Company Chorus, Early Opera Company Orchestra
    Conductor
    Christian Curnyn