Schedule

IN THE BELLY OF THE BEAST: Edinburgh

Date: June 19, 2026Time: 7:30 pmVenue: Assembly RoxyLocation: 2 Roxburgh Place, EH8 9SU Edinburgh United Kingdom Website: View Events Website
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.

Toria Banks - librettist

Jennifer Fletcher - director

Ben Moon - lighting designer & projection artist

Ingrid Hu - set & costume designer

Carolyn Sampson - soprano

Mariana Rodrigues - soprano

IN THE BELLY OF THE BEAST: Britten Pears Arts

Date: June 25, 2026Time: 7:00 pmVenue: Britten StudioLocation: Snape Maltings, Snape, Suffolk, IP17 1SP United Kingdom Website: View Events Website
Dramatic tales from a remarkable Baroque composer: In the Belly of the Beast is a thrilling new production from Hera, Mahogany Opera and Dunedin Consort.

A brand new show featuring 300-year-old music, In the Belly of the Beast combines the beauty and intimacy of the baroque cantata, with bold theatrical storytelling. Starring Carolyn Sampson, Mariana Rodrigues and featuring musicians from leading baroque specialists Dunedin Consort, it retells three powerful myths about how we all survive the unfairness of life.

From Adam in the Garden of Eden, to Jonah at sea, to Jephthah returning from battle, three men make deals with God that don’t turn out well. Together, their stories, and the healing power of music, help us make sense of a world seemingly governed by arbitrary, unreasonable power.

Carolyn Sampson - soprano
Mariana Rodrigues - soprano

Jennifer Fletcher - director
Toria Banks - libretto (after Antoine Houdar de la Motte)

 

IN THE BELLY OF THE BEAST: Spitalfields Festival

Date: June 27, 2026Time: 4:30 pmVenue: Metronome LondonLocation: 41 Commercial Road, E1 1LA London United Kingdom Website: View Events Website
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 and Mariana Rodrigues star 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.

Carolyn Sampson - Soprano
Mariana Rodrigues - Soprano
Dunedin Consort

IN THE BELLY OF THE BEAST: Spitalfields Festival

Date: June 27, 2026Time: 7:30 pmVenue: Metronome LondonLocation: 41 Commercial Road, E1 1LA London United Kingdom Website: View Events Website
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 and Mariana Rodrigues star 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.

Carolyn Sampson - Soprano
Mariana Rodrigues - Soprano
Dunedin Consort

IN THE BELLY OF THE BEAST: Perth

Date: July 2, 2026Time: 7:30 pmVenue: Perth Theatre & Concert HallLocation: Joan Knight Studio, PH1 5HZ Perth United Kingdom Website: View Events Website
A co-production from Hera, Mahogany Opera and Dunedin Consort

Three cantatas by Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre (1665-1729)
With a new English libretto by Toria Banks
Directed by Jennifer Fletcher

Carolyn Sampson, soprano
Mariana Rodrigues, soprano
Dunedin Consort

A brand-new show featuring three-hundred-year-old music, In the Belly of the Beast combines the beauty and intimacy of the baroque cantata, with bold theatrical storytelling. Starring Carolyn Sampson and featuring musicians from leading baroque specialists Dunedin Consort, it retells three powerful myths about how we all survive the unfairness of life.

From Adam in the Garden of Eden, to Jonah at sea, to Jephthah returning from battle, three men make deals with God that don’t turn out well. Together, their stories, and the healing power of music, help us make sense of a world seemingly governed by arbitrary, unreasonable power.

IN THE BELLY OF THE BEAST: Glasgow

Date: July 3, 2026Time: 7:30 pmVenue: Royal Conservatoire of ScotlandLocation: 100 Renfrew St, G2 3DB Glasgow United Kingdom Website: View Events Website
A co-production from Hera, Mahogany Opera and Dunedin Consort

Three cantatas by Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre (1665-1729)
With a new English libretto by Toria Banks
Directed by Jennifer Fletcher

Carolyn Sampson soprano
Mariana Rodrigues soprano
Dunedin Consort

A brand-new show featuring three-hundred-year-old music, ‘In the Belly of the Beast’ combines the beauty and intimacy of the baroque cantata, with bold theatrical storytelling. Starring Carolyn Sampson and featuring musicians from leading baroque specialists Dunedin Consort, it retells three powerful myths about how we all survive the unfairness of life.

From Adam in the Garden of Eden, to Jonah at sea, to Jephthah returning from battle, three men make deals with God that don’t turn out well. Together, their stories, and the healing power of music, help us make sense of a world seemingly governed by arbitrary, unreasonable power.