Lidarti's Esther in Göttingen: A Hebrew Oratorio Meets the Present
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A Hebrew Oratorio between Baroque Sound and Present
On Sunday, November 15, 2026, Giuseppe Lidarti's Esther will resonate in the St. Paulus Church Göttingen – an extraordinary oratorio in Hebrew. The Göttingen Baroque Orchestra connects the historical work with contemporary texts and new music to create a multi-voiced concert evening about courage, belonging, and self-assertion.
Historical Music with Surprising Modern Relevance
Cristiano Giuseppe Lidarti, born in Vienna in 1730 and later active in Italy, composed Esther in 1774 for the Portuguese-Jewish community in Amsterdam. The work is considered one of the most extensive surviving examples of Hebrew scholarly music from the 17th and 18th centuries. Its sound language moves between late Baroque oratorio tradition and the galant style of the pre-classic period.
Baroque Orchestra, Voices, and Dramatic Contrasts
The score features solo singing parts, a mixed choir, and a chamber-music orchestra with strings, winds, and basso continuo. Arias, duets, and choral passages illustrate the story of Queen Esther with expressive contrasts, clear melodic structuring, and festive orchestral color.
A Musical-Literary Dialogue
In the Göttingen production, Lidarti's oratorio meets new texts from writer Lena Gorelik and a commissioned composition by Jewish composer Ohad Ben-Ari. Jewish narratives from the past 250 years relate to the biblical story of Esther. This creates a concert format that intertwines historical performance practice, contemporary composition, and literary reflection.
Strong Voices for a Timeless Story
On stage are Antonius Adamske, Lavinia Dames, Johanna Kaldewei, Andreas Post, and Janno Scheller. Together with the Göttingen Baroque Orchestra and the participating ensembles, a concert experience is created where singing, orchestration, and stage performance make the themes of memory, responsibility, and civil courage audible.
Live Atmosphere in the St. Paulus Church
The sacred acoustics of the St. Paulus Church provide a special space for the voices and instruments. Between bright tutti, concentrated recitatives, and intimate arias, an intense audience mood develops. The historical sound language gains an immediate contemporary perspective: Esther is not told as a distant biblical drama but as a story about agency and the courage to take responsibility.
Conclusion: A Special Concert Evening in Göttingen
The Göttingen Baroque Orchestra invites to a rare encounter with a Hebrew oratorio from the 18th century. Those who wish to connect old music, baroque orchestra, Jewish music history, and contemporary concert forms will experience an evening full of sonic depth and societal resonance on November 15, 2026. Tickets are available from 25 Euros; students can obtain tickets for 5 Euros at the box office.
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