Middlebury Bach Festival: Esther

The Middlebury Bach Festival presents G. F. Handel’s oratorio, “Esther,” featuring Middlebury alumni soloists, student and guest singers and orchestra. The first English oratorio, the work is a charming and dramatic piece originally writtend for the English audience of the early 18th century. The libretto is based loosely on Jean Racine’s 1689 play, which is loosely based on the Book of Esther. It is the story of a young Jewish woman who becomes the wife of a king and risks her life to save the Jewish race from genocide. Handel’s music accentuates the drama with intimate arias and dramatic choruses, in turns magnificent, humorous and thought provoking. Sponsored by the Department of Music and the Middlebury College Choir. $12Public/$10 Middlebury ID card holders/students free with ID