and the Use of Chorus in Tragedy by William McCausland Stewart
Esther was specially written for performance at the Maison Royale de St. Cyr in 1689. The play is unique as the meeting-place of tragedy, opera, and oratorio, for the choruses-introduced into his tragedy for the first time-were sung to music specially composed under Racine's direction by Jean-Baptiste Moreau.
Professor Stewart discusses Racine's use of the chorus in Esther and its relation to his work as a whole. Examples are sung and spoken from the performance shortly to be given in Bristol by students of the University French Circle and of the Umversitv Music Society under the direction of Dr. W. K. Stanton. Professor of Music in the University of Bristol, and under the scenic direction of Marcelle Gabarre , formerly of the Comedie Francaise. Marcelle Gabarre , who performed in Esther when it was revived at the Theatre Francaise, speaks passages from the Prologue and gives examples of the verse of the sung choruses.
This performance of Esther at Bristol
University by non-professionals corresponds to the conditions intended by Racine for the original performance by the pupils at St. Cyr.