2021-2022 Season
Telemann’s Pimpinone and Ino
Paul O’Dette & Stephen Stubbs, Musical Directors
Gilbert Blin & Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière, Stage Directors
Saturday, November 27, 2021, 8pm
Sunday, November 28, 2021, 3pm
New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall
The GRAMMY Award–winning BEMF Chamber Opera Series returns on Thanksgiving weekend!
Explore the depth and scope of Telemann’s genius with a fascinating pairing of comedy and drama. 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 scintillating theatrics and show-stopping virtuosity.
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 Douglas Williams in the title role, while Ino will feature celebrated soprano Amanda Forsythe. Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière will also appear as a dancer in the production. Rounding out the directorial team will be Concertmaster Robert Mealy leading the Boston Early Music Festival Chamber Ensemble, Dance Director Melinda Sullivan, Costume Designers Gilbert Blin & Meriem Bahri, Lighting Designer Aja M. Jackson, and Executive Producer Kathleen Fay.
Production Photos by Kathy Wittman, Ball Square Films
“Spellbinding.”
Video Preview
Pre-Opera Talk
Artists
Paul O’Dette & Stephen Stubbs, Musical Directors
Gilbert Blin & Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière, Stage Directors
Robert Mealy, Concertmaster
Melinda Sullivan, Dance Director
Gilbert Blin & Meriem Bahri, Costume Designers
Aja M. Jackson, Lighting Designer
Kathleen Fay, Executive Producer
Amanda Forsythe, Ino
Danielle Reutter-Harrah, Vespetta
Douglas Williams, Pimpinone
Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière, dancer
Boston Early Music Festival Chamber Ensemble
Robert Mealy, Sarah Darling, Jesse Irons, Cynthia Roberts & Emily Dahl, violin
Laura Jeppesen, viola
Phoebe Carrai, violoncello
Doug Balliett, double bass
Emi Ferguson & Andrea LeBlanc, Baroque flute
Todd Williams & Nathanael Udell, natural horn
Michael Sponseller, harpsichord
Paul O’Dette, archlute
Stephen Stubbs, theorbo & Baroque guitar
Technical Crew and Support Staff
Mercedes Roman-Manson, Production Manager
Kelly Martin, Lighting Director
Perry Emerson & Elizabeth Hardy, Company Managers
Maria van Kalken, Assistant to the Executive Producer
Carmen Catherine Alfaro, Production Stage Manager
Martha Keslar, Assistant Stage Manager
Rachel Padula-Shufelt, Wigs and Makeup Designer
Seth Bodie, Wigs and Make-up Supervisor
Niko Cohen, Head Dresser/Stitcher
Gabriel Bagdazian, Dresser
Ian Thorsell, Props Supervisor and Artisan
Dan McGaha, Supertitles Supervisor and Operator
Ricardo Roman, Production Transportation
Sophia Baramidze, Emily Keebler & Cami Wright, Stitchers
Caitlin Laird & David Mather, Interns, Assistants to Gilbert Blin
Kathy Wittman, Videographer and Photographer
Stephanie Rogers & Antonio Oliart Ros, Recording Engineers