Brilliant work of the later years: Handel’s work on Jephtha in 1751 was repeatedly delayed as a result of his steadily progressing blindness. In fact, this would be his last original composition before he became totally blind in 1752. In the hands of the librettist, Thomas Morell, and in contrast to the tragic story from the Old Testament, the work ends happily, as the offering of Jephtha’s daughter is hindered through the intervention of an angel.

With Jephtha Handel created yet another...