Cantata service at Grote Kerk Leeuwarden

Élisabeth-Claude Jacquet de La Guerre (1659–1729) was regarded in her time as a musical prodigy. Her talent as a musician was recognised at an early age, and as a child she was already performing at the court of King Louis XIV. She composed chamber music, choral works, operas and several cantatas, including Jacob and Rachel. Her work is gradually being rediscovered, but is still rarely performed. A performance in the Grote or Jacobijnerkerk therefore offers a unique opportunity to hear this music once again.

The cantatas composed by Jacquet de La Guerre have a strong Italian influence. They are almost mini-operas: written for small ensembles, concise yet dramatic in character. Jacob and Rachel was written for soprano and basso continuo and will be performed during this cantata service by soprano Elizabeth Kooy, accompanied by Saveriano Paoli on violone and Peter van der Zwaag on organ.