Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir

In October 2024, Ton Koopman turns 80! To add musical lustre to this great milestone, the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir presents the oratorio Esther: Händel's very first English oratorio with which he single-handedly created a new genre. It's a treasure trove of energetic and passionate music, making it a wonderful choice for Ton Koopman to celebrate his jubilee. He brings along a dream cast including vocal prodigy Julia Lezhneva, making her debut in Eindhoven!

Esther is a purely musical, full-length oratorio. The piece is performed as a concertante, as was common in Händel's time. Ton Koopman has specially compiled a new edition for this performance, which consists of a combination of a very early version from 1720, HWV 50a, and the grander version from 1732: HWV 50b. The 1732 Esther marks the beginning of English oratorio, a genre that did not exist before. The arias and choruses make the love, despair, revenge, anger, hope and triumph of the gripping story palpable to the audience. Esther also has an extraordinarily colourful orchestral score, including an aria with harp, and horns that evoke echoes of Händel's Water Music.