Music by Agostino Steffani (1653–1728) Production and Rehearsal Photos Listen online to the WGBH Classical New England broadcast of Steffani's Niobe, Regina di Tebe. Sun, June 12, 3:30pm |
Tue, June 14, 7pm |
Wed, June 15, 7pm Fri, June 24, 7pm |
Sat, June 25, 7pm NORTH-AMERICAN PREMIERE! Read a synopsis by Gilbert Blin and Ellen Hargis Download the Niobe, Regina di Tebe libretto Join the Boston Early Music Festival in June for the North American premiere of Agostino Steffani’s Niobe, Regina di Tebe (Niobe, Queen of Thebes)—an operatic masterpiece first performed as the opening spectacle at the 1688 Carnival in Munich. Steffani was a force in shaping the operatic culture of Germany, and had an enormous influence on the music of Handel. Steffani’s gorgeous music will immerse the listener in a magical drama of soaring triumphs and searing tragedy. Niobe recounts the story of the Queen of Thebes, one of the most tragic figures in Greek mythology,
who ruled over the city of Thebes with her husband
Anfione. Niobe’s immense pride earns her family the
merciless wrath of the gods. With elegant costumes,
breathtaking sets, and Baroque flying machines, this
heart-wrenching story will come alive in a dazzling
spectacle for both eye and ear. This stunning production will feature a BEMF
audience favorite, soprano Amanda Forsythe, in the
title role, and the sensational French countertenor, Philippe Jaroussky, who received Europe’s prestigious
2008 Echo Award for Best Singer of the Year, as King
Anfione. They head a cast of leading international
opera singers, who perform alongside the thirty
virtuosos who comprise our three-time Grammy nominated
BEMF Orchestra, a colorful ensemble of
Baroque dancers, a gifted children’s troupe, and
many others. |
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Paul O’Dette & Stephen Stubbs, Musical Directors Gilbert Blin, Stage Director Caroline Copeland & Carlos Fittante, Choreographers Anna Watkins, Costume Designer Gilbert Blin, Set Designer Lenore Doxsee, Lighting Designer Kathleen Fay, Executive Producer Abbie H. Katz, Associate Producer Ellen Hargis, Assistant Stage Director Flying effects provided by ZFX, Inc. CAST Philippe Jaroussky, Anfione Yulia Van Doren, Manto Charles Robert Stephens, Tiresia Kevin D. Skelton, Clearte Matthew White, Creonte Jesse Blumberg, Poliferno Colin Balzer, Tiberino Jose Lemos, Nerea BEMF Orchestra Off-stage Viol Consort, Christel Thielmann, director BEMF Dance Ensemble BEMF
Young Artists Training Program PALS Children's Chorus Jill Carrier, Executive Director
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Production Credits Mercedes Roman-Manson, Production Manager
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