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

By Kevin Wells, 11 June 2025

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

Reviewed at Cutler Majestic Theatre, Boston on 8 June 2025

Keiser, Octavia

Robert Mealy, Conductor

Gilbert Blin, Director

Alexander McCargar, Set Designer

Anna Kjellsdotter, Costume Designer

Martin Kelly, Lighting Designer

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, Choreography

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

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

The triumph of virtue: Rossini’s Cenerentola in Brisbane

Sandra Bowdler, 29th April

Margarita Gritskova leads a fine ensemble performance of Rossini’s most under-appreciated opera by Opera Queensland.

****1

Grigolo shines in a mixed new Roméo et Juliette at the Opera di Roma

Pia Maltri, 28th April

With its 1940s setting, Luca Del Fusco’s direction alienates in a new production of Gounod's Shakespeare-inspired opera.

***11

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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!