David et Jonathas: New Sussex Opera to present Charpentier's tragédie en musique in 2026

Having given us rarities by Offenbach and Saint-Saëns, New Sussex Opera is turning its attention to 17th century France for its offering in Autumn 2026. They will be staging Charpentier's David et Jonathas with performances in Lewes (11/10/26), Cadogan Hall, London (20/10/26), Eastbourne (23/10/26) and Winchester (25/10/26). The opera will be conducted by Toby Purser and directed by Paul Higgins the team responsible for their performances of Lampe's The Dragon of Wantley n 2024 [see my review]. 

 The orchestra will be the Bellot Ensemble, who played in The Dragon of Wantley. The Bellot Ensemble has just released their debut CD, Cupid's Ground Bass [see my review].

Lully's monopoly on writing music for the Paris Opera during the 17th century meant that Marc-Antoine Charpentier's access to the operatic establishment was limited. Most of his works in the genre tend to be smaller pieces; though he did write Médée for the Paris Opera, many more pieces were written for aristocratic patrons. His opera David et Jonathas was in fact written for the Jesuits, for the Collège Louis-le-Grand, Paris. It had a libretto by by Father François Bretonneau, is based on the Old Testament story of the friendship between David and Jonathan. At its first performance the opera was performed with a spoken drama Saul. The intended effect was to be edifying and instructive. It must have succeeded because other Jesuit colleges also performed the work.

Surprisingly, Charpentier wrote in the form of a typical French tragédie en musique though the dance episodes are, inevitably, limited. The work is being performed in a new English translation by Christopher Cowell.

Full details from New Sussex Opera's website.