Handel’s ‘Esther’ oratorio will be at the center of the Vocal Fantasy Festival
By JPOST.COM STAFFCOLLEGIUM CHORO MUSICI(photo credit: ALDIS JONIKANS)
The Jerusalem Baroque Orchestra will hold its summer festival “Vocal Fantasy Festival” from July 25-27. The festival gives center stage to the human voice and vocal music.The festival, under Music director David Shemer, is a celebration of choirs and singers performing music in various styles from the 12th century until the present day.The central event will be an Israeli premiere of a new arrangement to Handel’s oratorio Esther. The oratorio illustrates the biblical Book of Esther and will be performed by the JBO with the wonderful Latvian choir Collegium Choro Musici Riga and soloists at July 26 at 1 p.m. at Zucker Hall in Tel Aviv, and July 27 at 9 p.m. at Jerusalem’s YMCA. The Collegium Choro Musici Riga choir will also give an a capella concert focusing on music by Heinrich Schutz on July 25 at 7:45 p.m. at the YMCA in Jerusalem.Elsewhere at the festival there will be chamber concerts with JBO members and guest singers, including Nerius Masevicius (Lithuania), Monta Martinsone (Latvia), Daniel Skorka (Israel), Doron Schleifer and Haddar Beiser (Switzerland-Israel). The concerts will feature music of the Middle Ages and Baroque era, along with German lieder from the 19th century.The festival will also offer a festive outdoor event on July 27 at 8 p.m. in the YMCA’s yard. The Jerusalem Soloists Choir be accompanied by the YMCA tower carillons, offering the audience a chance to join in.For a complete program and other information, go to jbo.co.il.
