2025 Festival | BEMF in the Berkshires
A tradition since 2003, BEMF follows its triumphant Festival week with a weekend of performances in the Berkshires at the acoustically superb and visually dazzling Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. In continuous operation for over a century, first as a vaudeville theater and then as a glorious movie palace, the Mahaiwe Theater is one of the premier live performance venues in western Massachusetts.
In 2023, BEMF made our début at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in Katonah, New York as part of their summer season and we will be back for the 2025 Summer Season. Located about 50 miles north of New York City, Caramoor prides itself as a destination for exceptional music, captivating programs, spectacular gardens and grounds, and wonderful moments with friends and family.
2025 Festival | Chamber Opera
Explore the depth of Telemann’s genius with a fascinating pairing of stylish slapstick and scintillating drama for an evening of show-stopping virtuosity!
Inspired by the Italian comic intermezzi, Pimpinone approaches social class and seduction with stylish slapstick and evocative humanity as the narcissistic Pimpinone is stung by the beauty and barbs of his charming chambermaid, Vespetta. The cantata Ino is a true hidden gem with a thrilling story drawn from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Written late in Telemann’s life, this miniature masterpiece is a bridge between the Baroque and Classical eras, full of dynamic theatrics and gorgeous music
Originally presented in November 2021, Musical Directors Paul O’Dette and Stephen Stubbs alongside Stage Directors Gilbert Blin and Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière lead three of BEMF’s favorite singers and the all-star BEMF Chamber Ensemble in this engaging double bill. Starring in Pimpinone will be stellar soprano Danielle Reutter-Harrah as Vespetta alongside thrilling baritone Christian Immler in the title role, while Ino will feature celebrated soprano Amanda Forsythe. Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière will also appear as a dancer in the production.
2021 Production Photos by Kathy Wittman, Ball Square Films
“Spellbinding.”
“Amanda Forsythe and the orchestra of the Boston Early Music Festival conjure exceptional stylish elegance and theatrical vitality in the flowing sequence of orchestrally accompanied recitatives.”
PRE-OPERA TALK
Join members of the Pimpinone and Ino Directorial Team for a Pre-Opera Talk one hour prior to each performance in Great Barrington and Caramoor.
You can also watch the Pre-Opera Talk recorded prior to the original performance of the production in 2021, available on YouTube.
VIDEO PREVIEW
ARTISTS
Paul O’Dette & Stephen Stubbs, Musical Directors
Gilbert Blin & Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière, Stage Directors
Robert Mealy, Concertmaster
Melinda Sullivan, Dance Director
Gilbert Blin & WERIEM, Costume Designers
Kelly Martin, Lighting Director
Kathleen Fay, Executive Producer
Amanda Forsythe, Ino
Danielle Reutter-Harrah, Vespetta
Christian Immler, Pimpinone
Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière, dancer
BOSTON EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
Robert Mealy, Sarah Darling, Jesse Irons & Julie Andrijeski, violin I
Cynthia Roberts, Emily Dahl & Beth Wenstrom, violin II
Daniel Elyar & Laura Jeppesen, viola
Phoebe Carrai & Keiran Campbell, violoncello
Nathaniel Chase, double bass
Andrea LeBlanc & Mara Riley, flute
Todd Williams & Nathanael Udell, natural horn
Joseph Gascho, harpsichord
Paul O’Dette, theorbo
Stephen Stubbs, theorbo & Baroque guitar
TECHNICAL CREW
Mercedes Roman-Manson, Production Manager
Gabrielle Stryker, Production Stage Manager
Emma Belfer, Production Assistant
Erin Genett & Nicholas Holloway, Company Assistants
Ariane Prévost, Staging Assistant
Seth Bodie, Wigs and Makeup Designer & Supervisor
Jacqueline Quintal, Costume Shop Supervisor & Dresser
Chloe Moore, Wardrobe Supervisor and Head Dresser
Morgen Heissenbuettel, Intern Assistant to the Musical & Orchestra Directors
Grant Sorenson, Intern Assistant to the Stage Director
Isabel Oliart, Orchestra & Operations Intern
Dan McGaha, Supertitles Supervisor and Operator
Kathy Wittman, Videographer and Photographer
Antonio Oliart Ros, Recording Engineer