Boston Early Music Festival strikes again with a knockout Octavia

Emőke Baráth (Octavia)

Christian Immler (Seneca) and Douglas Williams (Nero)

Michael Skarke (Tiridates) and Amanda Forsythe (Ormœna)

The BEMF Dance Company

Par Kevin Wells, 11 juin 2025

Chargement en cours, veuillez patienter...

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“the steel and fiery conviction with which Emőke Baráth imbued her portrayal animated Octavia”

Critique faite à Cutler Majestic Theatre, Boston, le 8 juin 2025

Keiser, Octavia

Robert Mealy, Direction

Gilbert Blin, Mise en scène

Alexander McCargar, Décors

Anna Kjellsdotter, Costumes

Martin Kelly, Lumières

BEMF Chamber Ensemble

BEMF Vocal Ensemble

Emőke Baráth, Octavia

Douglas Williams, Nero

Amanda Forsythe, Ormoena

Christian Immler, Seneca the Younger

Sherezade Panthaki, Clelia

Aaron Sheehan, Piso

Hannah De Priest, Livia

Michael Skarke, Tiridates

Richard Pittsinger, Fabius

Marc Molomot, Davus

Jason McStoots, Lepidus

Hubert Hazebroucq, Chorégraphie

Aufs Korn genommen: Lampes The Dragon of Wantley beim Musikfest Bremen

Jens Klier, 24th August

In der Lachmuskeln strapazierenden Inszenierung formationseigenen Gilbert Blins gelingt dem BEMF ein Opernspaß, der es absolut verdient, vermehrt sein fantastisches Unwesen treiben zu dürfen.

****1

BEMF stages Francesca Caccini's Alcina

Kevin Wells, 10th June

A rare chance to see the first extant opera written by a woman, Francesca Caccini's La liberazione di Ruggiero dall’ isola d’ Alcina.

****1

BEMF presents La serva padrona and Livietta e Tracollo

Kevin Wells, 17th June

A riotous double bill of Pergolesi at the Boston Early Music Festival.

*****

Campra capers: Le Carnaval de Venise

Kevin Wells, 11th June

With Lully’s death in 1687 and Louis XIV’s increasing immersion in religious piety under the influence of Madame de Maintenon, the court ceased to exercise a strangle hold on opera.

****1

L’impeccable et implacable Rigoletto de Lionel Lhote à Lausanne

Romain Daroles, 14th June

Avec cette prise de rôle dans le chef-d'œuvre de Verdi, le baryton belge nous livre une leçon de chant autant que de théâtre. Plateau, direction et mise en scène au diapason.

*****

Thom Luz et ses Don Quichottes de rêve au Theater Basel

Romain Daroles, 13th June

Avec son opéra-pastiche qui réunit, sur quatre siècles, un florilège d’œuvres musicales créées d’après Cervantès et son personnage le plus célèbre, le metteur en scène suisse réalise un sublime tour de force.

*****

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Kevin Wells

Kevin Wells was bitten by the opera bug at 10, having heard a 1936 recording of Jussi Björling singing “Che gelida manina”. He has never been the same since. A student of voice, performance practice, the history of singing and opera, he holds advanced degrees in Italian and has lived and worked in Italy off and on since the 70s. La Scala became a second home as the Met had been during college daze. Now in his native Boston, he works as translator, tutor, and language coach, haunts Symphony Hall, and would haunt the Opera House had it not been demolished in 1958!