Evento

A Jewish Opera Rediscovered - Cristiano Giusseppe Lidarti's "Esther" (1774)

In 1774 the Italian composer Cristiano Giusseppe Lidarti completed his oratorio/opera Esther (t'shuat Yisrael al y'dei Ester) telling the story of Queen Esther and her rescue of the Jewish people from the murderous designs of the wicked Haman. Written for the Jewish community in Amsterdam using the libretto by Rabbi Jacob Saraval the work was lost until its rediscovery in 1998. San Francisco Renaissance Voices (Todd Jolly, Music Director) presents this work in semi-staged form with period chamber orchestra, sung in the original Hebrew, as part of our "Opera Early & Ancient" series, providing the work its US premiere and a rare musical celebration during the Purim season with this family-friendly production. In addition to our stellar chorus, featured is soprano Rita Lilly as Queen Esther, tenor Seth Arnopole as King Ahasuerus, baritone Jefferson Packer as Haman, soprano Cheryl Cain as the Israelite Woman and tenor Corey Head as Mordecai. Part of San Francisco Renaissance Voices 2013-14 Season, "Kol Israel: The Voice of Judaism in Early Music".

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN ABRIDGED FAMILY-FRIENDLY VERSION.