Out of her mouth

Cantatas by Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre

“A revelation…they’ve unearthed a treasure and argued the most powerful case imaginable that Jacquet de la Guerre’s work is no dry museum piece but a pulsing, vibrant slice of music drama…performed with gripping immediacy.”

★★★★★ The Times
"An endlessly rewarding, remarkable creation."

Art Muse London
★★★★ The Guardian
★★★★ The Evening Standard

Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre’s biblical cantatas are extraordinary historical jewels. Written by a woman, about women, they tell bold, unflinching tales of strength, endurance and violence - each one a tiny opera in all but name. These breathtaking miniatures — in new English translations by Hera's Toria Banks — have never before been staged in the UK and receive their UK premieres (more than 300 years after they were composed) in a stage production directed by Mathilde López, produced in partnership with Dunedin Consort, Mahogany Opera, & the National Centre for Early Music.

FROM REHEARSALS

Video & photography by Alastair More

Accessibility

The show is performed in English and captioned throughout, as part of the production design.

There are also integrated audio description introductions at the start of the show, and between each of the three cantatas/stories. These are delivered live by the performers using a microphone. The show is not audio described during the music, so that you can enjoy it fully and hear the words being sung.

There are no flashing or strobing lights in the show.

You are very welcome to wear a mask to any of our shows. There will be some spare N95 masks available from Front of House at each venue.

All of our touring venues are wheelchair accessible. If you any questions, you can contact the venue directly or email us on info@wearehera.co.uk and we'll find an answer for you as quickly as possible.

Content advice: the show includes references to sexual harassment and threat of sexual assault. If you would like further content information before attending please email info@wearehera.co.uk, or please feel free to read the text in advance.

The audio description introduction from the start of the show is available as a Word document here.

A synopsis, followed by the complete text of the show, is available as a Word document here.

DATES & VENUES

Friday 23 June 2023, 8pm
Universal Hall, Findhorn
Tel: 01309 691170
Tickets: £6-16

Saturday 24 June 2023, 8pm
Platform (Argyle Street), Glasgow
Tel: 0141 332 5057
Tickets: £5-£22

Sunday 25 June 2023, 8pm
Assembly Roxy, Edinburgh
Tel: 0131 668201
Tickets: £5-£22

Sunday 9th July 2023
Spitalfields Music Festival
Tickets: £15-£28

Wednesday 12th July 2023
York Early Music Festival
Tickets: £10-£40

And online from the National Centre for Early Music from November 2023 to January 2024

Cast and Creative Team

Anna Dennis - Susanne
Alys Mereid Roberts - Rachel
Carolyn Sampson - Judith
Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre - Composer
Mathilde López - Director
Toria Banks - Writer/Translator
Will Monks - Set, Lighting & Video Designer
Katarzyna Kowalik - Harpsichord
Chantal Short - Costume Designer