In the Belly of the Beast brings together the unique intimacy of Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre’s baroque cantata for voice and continuo with a completely contemporary theatrical approach. Three stories of biblical men – Adam, Jonah, and Jephthah – told from the perspective of women in their orbits.
These cantatas are a thrilling examination of the human condition, individuals brought together in their attempts to confront the unfairness of the world humanity finds itself in, and uncover the true cruelty and arbitrariness of the powers that be.
Carolyn Sampson stars in three works from de la Guerre’s Cantates Bibliques translated by Toria Banks and produced in partnership by Mahogany Opera, Dunedin Consort and HERA.
From the team that brought us 2023’s Out of Her Mouth:
★★★★★ “A revelation…a pulsing, vibrant slice of music drama…raw storytelling and powerful drama made all the more immediate here by the use of Toria Banks’s English translation.” The Times
Carolyn Sampson Soprano
Mariana Rodrigues Soprano
Dunedin Consort
Duration: 1hr 5 minutes
Audio Description
Audio description introductions are available for the show, and for each of the three stories within it.
These are available, read by the performers, in the four tracks in this SoundCloud playlist. You can stream them, or download them to listen to offline. If you would like to listen to them at the theatre venue you will need to bring a smartphone (or other device) as unfortunately we do not have headsets available. We will have some headphones, including bluetooth headphones, available to borrow for use with your device.
The same text is also available here as a Word Document.
The show is also captioned for d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing audience members. Please email ku.areheraew@ofni with any questions about access.
In the Belly of the Beast is generously supported by Nottingham Trent University
