GIACOMO MEYERBEER
Jephtas Gelübde (Naxos/Marco Polo)
Dubbed a great opera composer, Giacomo Meyerbeer (1791-1864) is not as familiar to most today. The rediscovery of his epics are now seeing pieces heard anew, thanks to the impassioned conductor Dario Salvi and the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra/Chorus. Meyerbeer’s first opera – Jephtas Gelübde, which premiered in 1812 – gets back to Biblical basics with its Old Testament setting, and proves this Jewish composer’s talents.
The vigour on the stage is strong, this being a handsome score filled with drama, pith and intrigue. It’s as if the melodies take deep breaths and within other highlights (the scene of Jephthah seeing his daughter Sulima again) remain blazing moments of horror. A focused cast deliver, even with some occasional wobbles. Some concessions should be given for these singers in this world premiere recording of a work not well known today. I doubt the many spoken German scenes are of huge, commanding interest, though this being the opera’s first outing, they remain of importance.
words JAMES ELLIS
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