As part of ongoing efforts to spotlight its history in anticipation of its 2015 bicentennial, the Handel and Haydn Society next season will return to a landmark choral work it first introduced in this country. The piece is Handel’s “Jephtha,’’ the composer’s last oratorio, given its American premiere in 1855 but not performed by the Society since 1867. Artistic director Harry Christophers will lead the H&H performances in May 2013. These and other details of H&H’s 2012-13 season were announced today.
Christophers will open the H&H season in October with an all-Bach program that includes the composer’s “Magnificat,’’ and he will return around the holidays for H&H’s 159th annual “Messiah’’ performances. In January he will conduct H&H in a Purcell-themed program that will include music from “King Arthur,’’ “The Fairy Queen,’’ and “The Indian Queen,’’ followed by a set of all-Haydn performances in February.
