Esther is a truly wonderful discovery. This opera, written by Thomas de Hartmann (1884-1956) to a French libretto based on Racine’s play, was composed between 1938 and 1946 by the Ukrainian-born composer, then living in exile in France. Its unique tone blends the dramatic intensity of opera with its contemplative dimension, drawing inspiration from Korngold, Strauss, and Ravel. Part of a larger project to record all of Hartmann’s works, this double album, made possible by crowdfunding, features top-flight performers: the German conductor Kirill Karabits and his Bournemouth Orchestra, as well as leading singers, starting with the American soprano Corinne Winters. Drawing on her Ukrainian Jewish heritage, she brought all her talent to bear in embodying the formidable role of the Persian Jewish Queen.

N.B. May 2026