Some of these figures become our greatest heroes, others, our most hateful villains. Messianic figures have played an important role in shaping human history, and their influence continues to be felt today. We may be seeking hope, guidance, salvation, or a sense of purpose in our lives. During periods of crisis or cultural upheaval, societies tend to gravitate toward those individuals who promise salvation and elevate them to power. This work is composed for choir with accompaniment of organ and percussion, as well as a spoken oratorio. In the second, more extensive work of our performance, Messiahs false and true, Isenberg explores the perennial predicament of the “messianic leader” in human history. The Esoterics is honored to be singing this text for the first time in the world premiere of this composition! This letter is framed in the home of Rex’s husband’s parents, and his family reads it annually on Passover. This letter holds much significance for many American Jews as a testament to their rights to religious freedom and self-determination – right from the founding of this country. After a flourishing Jewish community in the American colonies fled during British occupation, any left during the British occupation, the Jewish community in Newport had only begun to recover its former prominence at the time of George Washington's visit in August 1790. In the very first concert of its 30th season, The Esoterics will perform two brand-new choral compositions by the Los Angeles-based composer, Rex Isenberg.įor his first piece, If we have wisdom, Isenberg sets the text of a letter written by George Washington to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1790.
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