New Sussex Opera presents David and Jonathan, Charpentier’s dark Baroque tragedy in a new English translation by Christopher Cowell. Conducted by Toby Purser and directed by Paul Higgins, the production brings Bellot Ensemble’s period instruments and the New Sussex Opera Chorus to five UK venues in October 2026. Designer Mollie Cheek, lighting designer Daisy Hardwick and choreographer Namiko Gahier-Ogawa shape a world where love and duty collide against the backdrop of war. Dramaturg Benjamin Poore frames the work as an achingly beautiful score, sensuous and dance-like, allowing Charpentier’s expressivity to shine. This English-language staging adopts the title David and Jonathan and aims to reveal a profoundly moving portrait of loyalty and sacrifice building to a tragic climax. A free pre-performance talk at Cadogan Hall features Donald Macleod with the conductor, director and choreographer. The same cast and creative team tour, scaled to each venue.