A dramatic account of the fall of Babylon at the hands of Cyrus the Great, the founder of the first Persian empire, and the ensuing freeing of the Jewish nation as told by Daniel, the noble youth of Jerusalem, is the subject of Handel's oratorio, composed during the peak of his creative life. After falling into neglect after Handel's death, 21st-century revivals of this splendid music have been presented in Zurich and Aix-en-Provence. A central and guiding character of Queen Nitocris, the mother of Belshazzar, encourages the story's triumphant ending.

HANDEL Belshazzar

Maya Kherani, soprano
Nitocris, mother of Belshazzar
Sarah Coit, mezzo-soprano
Daniel, a Jewish prophet
Eric Jurenas, countertenor
Cyrus, Prince of Persia
Matthew Hill, tenor
Belshazzar, King of Babylon
Mischa Bouvier, bass-baritone
Gobryas, an Assyrian Nobleman

American Bach Soloists
American Bach Cantorei
Jeffrey Thomas, conductor


Well-fitted masks must be worn by all guests while inside the venue.

All audience members must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, which includes receiving a booster shot at least one week prior to attending the event. Ticket holders will be required to provide proof of vaccination - including a booster shot, and a government issued photo ID to enter.

For more information, visit sfwarmemorial.org/covid-information