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"Under Jory Vinikour’s direction, the oratorio bubbles with excitement, and there’s enough elasticity of tempo for the singers to emphasize musical and dramatic points...
Gould's opulent voice combines dramatic weight with the precision and finesse needed for the delicate florid passages"
– Allan Altman
American Record Guide
The groundbreaking Roman composer Alessandro Stradella’s unjustly neglected oratorio Ester Liberatrice del Popolo Ebreo shines forth in a sparkling new release from Navona Records. Exploring themes of courage, self acceptance, ambition, justice, and power, this piece tells the story of Esther, a timid girl, secret Jew, and Persian Queen, who summons the bravery to save her people from annihilation.
While the oratorio derives its narrative from the old testament’s The Book of Esther, this compelling story of a lone woman challenging an oppressive tyrant is sure to strike a chord, resonating powerfully for modern listeners as it recalls many ongoing conflicts in our world today.
For more information about the recording, click here. To hear selections, click here.
Grammy voters, click here
"An expressiveness based on a brilliant virtuosity...shamelessly extroverted and of great communicative relevance"
– Marçal Borotau, Sonograma
"This performance proclaims that Ester slumbers in darkness no longer"
– Joseph Newsome, Voix des Arts