Entertainments Sacred and Profane

Jonas - Giacomo Carissimi
HANUKKAH Cantata David Ludwig
JEPHTE - Giacomo Carissimi
In the 17th century the composer Giacomo Carissimi set out to create a rival form of spiritual entertainment to the Opera and thus invented the Oratorio. These pieces of music-theater were usually based on biblical narratives of the Old Testament and treated with a theatrical flair and format. Two of his most dramatic and riveting works are based on the story of Jonah and the Whale and the conversion of the Ninevites, and the story of the poor daughter of Jephte who foolishly bargains with God that he will sacrifice the first person he encounters if he is victorious in battle.
On April 28th Choral Arts will perform two of Giacomo Carissimi's masterpieces, "Jephte" and "Jonas," in concert with the story of Judas Maccabeus in David Ludwig's contemporary take on the oratorio, the "Hanukkah Cantata" commissioned by Choral Arts in 2006.
Join us for our season finale performance, an event not to be missed!