The American Opera Theater makes its New York debut this weekend at BAM with Charpentier’s remarkable 1688 opera David et Jonathas, featuring the Ignoti Dei period orchestra conducted by Timothy Nelson and joined by the Chamber Singers of Virginia Tech. Per the America Opera Theater’s press release, “David et Jonathas explores the relationship between three timeless figures and probes the nature of man’s relationship with the universe.” Or, as Mae West used to say in her curtain speech after Catherine Was Great, “I do the best I can in two and a half hours.” Friend of the Box Anne Midgette reviews the show in today’s Washington Post.