Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa
Ester is the new project of the Opera Studio of ESML for five soloists, choir and orchestra, planned for March 2014. It will be staged by Luca Aprea (stage rehearsals begin in November) and will involve 3 musical elements:
1. The Oratorio “Ester” (1786) by António Leal Moreira (edition by Nicholas McNair)
2. The Holy Thursday Lamentation (choral polyphony from the 17th century) by Diogo Dias Melgás, divided and inserted into “Ester” in 10 short sections, each section being interpreted according to the theatrical context.
3. The Intermezzo, a short contemporary creation between Parts 1 and 2 of “Ester”.
Auditions for the full project will be announced shortly.
An international five-day workshop around this material under the auspices of ENOA (European Network of Opera Academies) has been proposed for late January/February 2014. In the event of this happening, singers who attend will study both solo and choral parts.
Materials for the intended workshop, and for auditions for the full project, may be downloaded below (right-click on individual items and "Save as…"):
Complete scores:
Ester (vocal score with index) – the workshop will concentrate on nºs 6r – 11 (pp. 30-65)
Lamentation (complete score) – the workshop will concentrate on sections 2 – 6 (pp. 5-19)
Separate arias Ester (audition and workshop):
13. Harbona (soprano) – audition only
6. Mardocheo (contralto/countertenor) – audition only
11. Mardocheo (contralto/countertenor) – workshop only
Separate parts Lamentation:
Soprano 1 solo (corresponds to role of Ester in workshop)
Soprano 2 solo (corresponds to role of Assuero in workshop)
Alto solo (corresponds to role of Mardocheo in workshop)
Tenor solo (corresponds to role of Aman in workshop)
Coro (audição 30 Out.):