Ton Koopman 80 - Handel: Esther
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Ton Koopman 80 - Handel: Esther
with Julia Lezhneva in the leading role
Classical Music, Opera, Theatre
- Handel: Esther - oratorio, HWV 50a-b
The world-famous Dutch harpsichordist, organist and conductor Ton Koopman, one of the most significant representatives of the international practice of the historically informed performance of early music, turns 80 this October. At the Budapest concert on his celebratory tour, he will conduct Handel's biblical oratorio Esther at the helm of his storied ensembles: the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and Choir. Written to a libretto based on a play by Jean Racine in 1718, the work was revised by Handel in 1732. The production, which promises to be an extraordinary experience, features such world-renowned soloists as Julia Lezhneva, Maarten Engeltjes and Andreas Wolf.
Program and cast
Conductor, harpsichordist:
Ton Koopman
Featuring:
Esther
Julia Lezhneva (soprano)
Ahasuerus/Mordecai
Maarten Engeltjes (countertenor)
Haman
Andreas Wolf (bass)
Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir
Palace of Arts Müpa Budapest
When Müpa Budapest, Hungary and its capital's new cultural hub, opened in 2005, it was built to represent more than 100 years of Hungarian cultural history. As a conglomeration of cultural venues, the building has no precedent in 20th century Hungarian architecture and has no peers in the whole of Central Europe.
The creators of this ambitious project, the Trigránit Development Corporation, prime contractor Arcadom Construction and the Zoboki, Demeter and Partners Architectural Office, were driven by the desire to create a new European cultural citadel as part of the new Millennium City Centre complex along the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Danube waterfront. The result is a facility whose construction quality, appearance, functionality and 21st century technological infrastructure makes it ideally suited to productions of the highest standard. The building is also highly versatile and equipped to host performances of any genre and almost any scale.