Organization

Conductor

Justin Taylor

Jonathan Woody

Paulina Francisco

4 Israëlites

Elisse Albian

Singer

Soprano

Margot Rood

Esther

Tenor

Jesse Darden

Ahasverus

Baritone

Haman

Kristen Dubenion-Smith

Soloist

Opera Lafayette

Orchestra

Opera Lafayette Orchestra

From Saint-Cyr to Cannons: Moreau and Handel’s Esther

New York City

United States

St Peter's Church

Washington D.C.

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Terrace Theater

From Saint-Cyr to Cannons: Moreau and Handel’s Esther: Esther Händel

Public

Approved

This orchestral concert with vocalists includes works by Jean-Baptiste Moreau (1656-1733) and George Frederic Handel (1685-1759), both connected to French dramatist Jean Racine’s play Esther, based on the Old Testament story. Moreau wrote the incidental music for Racine’s Esther, which was first performed at Maintenon’s school for girls in 1689, while Handel’s version is known to be his first English oratorio. The concert will be co-directed by harpsichordist and Opera Lafayette Artistic Associate Justin Taylor, and Jonathan Woody (returning after his performance in Couperin le Grand). 

Vocalists will include Margot Rood (Esther), Jesse Darden (Ahasuerus), Jonathan Woody (Haman), Jacob Perry (Tenor II), Paulina Francisco (Israelite Woman, Soprano I (Moreau)), Elisse Albian
(Soprano, Soprano II (Moreau)), and Kristen Dubenion-Smith (Alto (Handel & Moreau)).

English

From Saint-Cyr to Cannons: Moreau and Handel’s Esther by Händel, Moreau, Jean-Baptiste, From (2024/2024), Conductor Justin Taylor, Jonathan Woody, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington D.C., United States

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Ensemble

Program, About & Synopsis

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues