Esther

In October 2024, Ton Koopman will celebrate his 80th birthday! To mark this special milestone, the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir will present Handel’s oratorio Esther. This is Handel's very first English oratorio, introducing a completely new genre. Esther is a rarely performed and beautiful oratorio, filled with vibrant music that celebrates Ton Koopman's artistic talent and youthful spirit.

Esther is a full-length oratorio performed in a concert style, as was customary in Handel's time. For this performance, Ton Koopman has created a new edition that combines elements from an early version of 1720 with a later version from 1732. This 1732 version represents the birth of the English oratorio, a genre that did not previously exist.

The story of Esther is based on Jean Racine’s play and tells the tale of a Jewish orphan who becomes Queen of Persia and saves her people from a looming massacre orchestrated by the evil Haman. Handel masterfully brings to life the various emotions and characters in his music, from love and despair to revenge and triumph.

The soloists for this performance are stars of international renown. Russian soprano Julia Lezhneva, known for her angelic voice, will portray Esther. Dutch countertenor Maarten Engeltjes will take on both the roles of King Ahasuerus and Mordecai. The role of the villainous Haman will be performed by German bass-baritone Andreas Wolf, one of the rising stars in the world of Handel operas.