
The mission of Opera Essentia is to curate one of history’s most transfixing artforms for a new, and wider, audience, performing in gardens, parks, and other accessible centers of community. We distill the largely unknown works of baroque master George Frideric Handel, arguably the most important composer for the voice, into approachable discoveries.
Access
We bring opera “outside” – literally outdoors, but more importantly- liberated from classical music’s traditional venues. Contrasting opera’s usually expensive and exclusive productions, we offer ours free of charge in Alphabet City, Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy, and other local neighborhoods which lack centers for the Arts.
Inclusion
Delivered in a concise One Act experience, and performed by a diverse company of world-class musicians, we hope to amaze and delight new generations - with these rarely-performed works by the composer of The Messiah.
Impact
Handel perfectly conveys character and emotion through deeply expressive writing for the human voice. Opera Essentia presents this vital music on visceral “gut string” instruments, weaving arias into an intimate sound chronicle- which all can enjoy.

Our Team
Artistic Director: Jeffrey Mandelbaum
Project Manager/Co-Director: Rod Gomez
Company Advisor: Hannah Arie-Gaifman
Executive Producer: Marty Jeiven
Artistic Administrator: Heather Bobeck
Graphic Designer: Katia Michalopoulos

Our Artists
[Click name for bio/photo]
Harpsichord: Rebecca Pechefsky
First Violin: Carmen Lavada Johnson-Pájaro
Second Violin: Ravenna Lipchik

Advisory Council
Marty Jeiven Hanna Arie-Gaifman
Linda Monssen [In Memoriam] Ann Mandelbaum Wiebke Moore

