BEMF Chamber Opera Series

2025/26 SEASON

BEMF Chamber Opera Series presents
Francesco Provenzale: Stellidaura's Revenge

Paul O'Dette & Stephen Stubbs, Musical Directors
Gilbert Blin, Stage Director
Robert Mealy, Concertmaster

Saturday, November 29, 2025 | 8PM
Sunday, November 30, 2025 | 3PM
New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall, Boston, MA

VIRTUAL PREMIERE: Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 8pm (ET)
Available to watch until December 28, 2025 at 11:59pm (ET)

A courtly love triangle is torn apart by violent passions in this sultry romp!

When her beloved Armidoro is shot by the jealous Orismondo, beautiful Stellidaura is out for REVENGE!

Provenzale was a hugely influential figure in Neapolitan opera and he wrote his zany tragicomedy to be performed at a prince's summer palazzo in 1674. Breathtaking laments combine with lively tarantellas to produce a wildly entertaining cavalcade of romance, murder, and intrigue. Follow our star-crossed lovers as they navigate mistaken identities, bumbling servants, and attempted assassinations to find out whether they are destined for a happy ending or an early grave.

GRAMMY-winning Musical Directors Paul O’Dette and Stephen Stubbs join with internationally acclaimed Stage Director Gilbert Blin to create this all-new production featuring exceptional musicianship, period-inspired staging and lavish costumes. The stellar cast features soprano Hannah De Priest as vengeful Stellidaura, GRAMMY-winning tenor Aaron Sheehan as Prince Orismondo, tenor Richard Pittsinger as loyal Armidoro, and baritone Giuseppe Naviglio and soprano Mary Riley as long-suffering servants Giampetro and Armillo. Enjoy this earthy, Shakespearean drama, fully of twists and turns and set to one of the most beautiful musical scores of the 17th century. A must-see event!

“Spellbinding.”

—The Boston Globe
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ARTISTS

Paul O’Dette & Stephen Stubbs, Musical Directors
Gilbert Blin, Stage Director
Robert Mealy, Concertmaster
Seth Bodie, Costume Designer
Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière, Assistant to the Stage Director
Kathleen Fay, Executive Producer

Hannah De Priest, Stellidaura
Aaron Sheehan, Orismondo
Richard Pittsinger, Armidoro
Giuseppe Naviglio, Giampetro
Mara Riley, Armillo

Boston Early Music Festival Chamber Ensemble

Robert Mealy, concertmaster
Sarah Darling, violin
Kathryn Montoya & Gaia Saetermoe-Howard, recorder
Michelle Humphreys, percussion
David Morris, viola da gamba
Maxine Eilander, Baroque harp
Michael Sponseller, harpsichord
Paul O’Dette, theorbo
Stephen Stubbs, theorbo & Baroque guitar

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