Lauren Flanigan, Charles Kondek, Christopher Mattaliano, et. al. Set for 92YTribeca’s Esther Symposium

Artists from New York City Opera (NYCO), along with theologians and scholars, will participate in The Whole Megillah: A Symposium on Esther on October 25 at 92YTribeca. This day-long event is being held in conjunction with the NYCO production of Hugo Weisgall’s Esther.

Megillah will include a panel discussion about the opera featuring soprano Lauren Flanigan, librettist Charles Kondek, and director Christopher Mattaliano, as well as A NYCO Purim-Spiel that will feature NYCO performers, accompanied by Kevin Murphy at the piano.

Other components of the event are an investigation of the book of the bible which inspires the opera featuring Rabbi David Kalb; a discussion — also by Rabbi Kalb — about the story’s relevance to different groups through the ages; and a presentation from CUNY professor James Saslow about the way in which Esther has been been depicted in visual art over time.

Esther will be performed November 7-19 at the David H. Koch Theater. Directed by Mattaliano, the company features Flanigan in the title role along with Beth Clayton (Vashti), Margaret Thompson (Zeresh), Gerald Thompson (Hegai), Roy Cornelius Smith (Haman), and Stephen Kechulius (Xerxes).

For further information, visit www.92y.org.