GMChorale presents ‘Jephte’ oratorio

MIDDLETOWN — Continuing a long tradition of performing choral masterworks for the greater Middletown community, the GMChorale, led by Artistic Director Joseph D’Eugenio, will present “Jephte,” the exquisite but rarely-heard oratorio by early Baroque composer Giacomo Carissimi (1605-1674), on Sunday, April 29, at 4 p.m. The concert will be held at the MHS Performing Arts Center in Middletown, and is the final program in the GMChorale’s “Resounding Voices” season.

The afternoon concert will also include a selection of favorite Renaissance madrigals and the sparkling Te Deum by Franz Joseph Haydn. The Middletown High School advanced choir, under the direction of Stephanie Zak, will join the 80 singers of the GMChorale in singing the madrigals and the Haydn.

“Carissimi’s ‘Jephte,’ composed at the very beginning of what we now call the ‘Baroque’ period in music, was one of the first oratorios to use format familiar to us now in works such as Handel’s Messiah,” said Joseph D’Eugenio, the ensemble’s Artistic Director, in a written statement.

“Essentially, it’s a story told by a narrator in sung recitatives, interspersed with dramatic arias and choruses that expand on the story or offer points of reflection,” he said.

The oratorio “Jephte” is based on the story of Jephte and his daughter, as told in the Biblical book of Judges. Jephte, as he goes off to war, rashly promises God that should he be victorious in battle, he will sacrifice the first living thing he sees upon his return home. As his daughter greets him with song and dance to celebrate his victory, the oratorio unfolds with music of rejoicing, despair, grief, and, ultimately, reconciliation.

The role of Jephte will be sung by Terrence B. Fay, tenor. Soprano Christine Pekar will sing the role of Jephte’s daughter.

The oratorio will be accompanied by a continuo ensemble of Baroque-style instruments. Much like a modern jazz ensemble, a continuo ensemble supports the soloists and chorus with an improvised accompaniment that follows the composed melodies and harmonies.

Haydn’s Te Deum, commissioned by the Viennese Empress Marie-Therèse in 1790, is a joyous song of praise in the form of a small symphony for choir; its three movements adapted from the classical fast- slowfast symphony form of which Haydn was the undisputed master.

A pre-concert talk by Neely Bruce, John Spencer Camp Professor of Music at Wesleyan University, will begin at 3:15 p.m. for all ticket-holders. Dr. Bruce will talk about Carissimi’s Jepthe and its place in music history, and will also offer comments about the madrigals and Haydn’s Te Deum.

Following the concert, members of the audience will be invited to get a closer look at the instruments and talk with the musicians.

Tickets are on sale now at www.gmchorale.org and will also be available at the door.

GMChorale / Contributed photos GMChorale, led by Artistic Director Joseph DEugenio, will present Jephte, the rarely heard oratorio by early Baroque composer Giacomo Carissimi on Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Middletown High School Performing Arts Center.