Carissimi, Plorate, Filii Israel (from Jephte)

The oratorio was developed in Italy during the Counter-Reformation, the Catholic Church’s response to Lutheran reforms. The priest Philip Neri (1515-1595) began holding prayer services during the penitential season of Lent in the Oratory (prayer hall). Music was important part of these services. With the opera houses closed during Lent, the musical component of these services flourished and soon became the defining feature. The oratorio would become essentially an unstaged opera. It typically presented a drama with defined characters, but it was done in a concert setting.

The Old Testament stories were perfect for this genre: colorful characters, interesting stories, and religious themes. The story of Jephtha is found in the Book of Judges, Chapter 11. Jephtha had been driven out of Israel, but the Israelites convince him to return and command their army. Jephtha makes prays for victory and makes a rash vow to sacrifice whatever first comes out of his door on his return. He returns and is greeted by his daughter. Jephtha must keep his vow, but his daughter asks for two months to go to the mountains and lament her virginity.

Giacomo Carissimi (1605-1674) was one of the key figures in developing the oratorio. The entire oratorio lasts only about 20 minutes. (It would later be set in a more extended form by Handel.)