Esther - The First English Oratorio

The (Rescheduled!) 2020 Installment of KCP's Annual HANDELIAN ORATORIO SERIES

Presented in Memory of Nathan B. & Marjorie D. Kogan

Esther was originally written in 1718 as a masque, and after hearing it performed a member of the Royal Family asked Handel to present Esther at the theatre where his operas were staged. But as but the Bishop of London would not permit Biblical stories to be acted out upon the stage, Esther was presented by Handel in concert form as an addition to the 1732 opera season. The revised three-act form, performed with no scenery or stage action and with additional text, incorporated the Coronation Anthems "My Heart is Inditing" and a version of "Zadok the Priest", large choruses and grandiose orchestral movements. The result was very successful, extremely popular, and and thus the form of the English oratorio was born!

Along with our own incredible King's Counterpoint choir, KCP couldn't be more excited to welcome back our dear musical friends for this wonderful event: members of the North Carolina Baroque Orchestra, Countertenor Charles Humphries, and Tenor Paul Thompson.