In the Bel­ly of the Beast

Our new staging of Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre cantatas in co-production with Dunedin Consort and Hera

An hour-long music theatre performance, bringing together the unique intimacy of the baroque cantata for voice and continuo with a completely contemporary theatrical approach, to tell three urgent stories about how we survive the unfairness of a fallen world. Three works from de la Guerre’s Cantates Bibliques (Adam, Jonah, Jephthah), translated by Toria Banks and produced in partnership by Mahogany Opera, Dunedin Consort and Hera for UK performances in 2026.

Following the success of our 2023 co-production Out of Her Mouth (“A revelation…a pulsing, vibrant slice of music drama… raw storytelling and powerful drama", 5* The Times), based on three other works from the Cantates Bibliques, we are developing a new staging of these exceptional baroque pieces which have never been performed in the UK. Toria Banks' new English translation and direction from Jennifer Fletcher will make these remarkable works immediate for a contemporary audience, and draw out the enduring power of ancient myths.

In ‘Adam’, a woman narrates the Fall of Man and expulsion from the Garden of Eden. She does not mention Eve, and without her to blame, we re-encounter the myth as an origin story for the pain and confusion of being alive in the world. Man has ‘no other misfortune than the power to harm himself’, but we all know that’s enough. Disaster feels inevitable, but still… maybe this time, we could reach out of our seats and stop it. Creation and destruction are held in the hands - and the breath - of the singer.

In ‘Jonah’, a man trying to run away from his fate is caught in a storm so overwhelming that, “it seems that the world returns to its first chaos”. Worse than that, the people he encounters are more than happy to throw him overboard to save themselves. In the end, the only refuge to be found is down: into the sea, into the belly of the whale.

And then, suddenly, shockingly… there is joy. Two voices dance together in ecstatic celebration.

‘Jephthah’ is the only one of Jacquet de la Guerre’s cantatas written for two women’s voices. His wife and daughter celebrate his victory in battle, but Jephthah has promised God a burnt offering in return for his success: a sacrifice of the first living thing that greets him on his return. Unlike Adam and Jonah, Jephthah is obedient to God, but his wife warns him that in keeping his oath he commits “a new crime.” Mankind must now turn back to nature, this time in grief, lamenting to the forests and the mountains, till “all creation shares in your regret”