From the Book of Daniel, Handel’s dramatic oratorio tells of the fall of Babylon at the hands of Cyrus the Great and the freeing of the Jewish nation. This is grand Baroque opera, an early Aida perhaps. The chorus plays centre stage, at once pleasure-seeking Babylonians, or solemn Jews, or noble Persians.
This previously rarely staged masterpiece provides the perfect opportunity for a unique collaboration between The Grange Festival and The Sixteen in a celebration of our 40th anniversary. The Sixteen choir and orchestra will be joined by The Grange Festival chorus and a starry cast of Handelian luminaries, bringing biblical high drama to thrilling life in this fully staged opera production.
Performers
Robert Murray Belshazzar
Rosemary Joshua Nitocris
Christopher Ainslie Cyrus
Henry Waddington Gobrias
James Laing Daniel
The Sixteen choir & orchestra
The Grange Festival chorus
Creatives:
Harry Christophers conductor
Daniel Slater director
Robert Innes Hopkins designer
Peter Mumford lighting designer
Fully staged performance