Desmarest’s Circé

BEMF Recordings

Desmarest's Circé

For the first time, BEMF is releasing a new CD alongside its North America fully-staged premiere production with Henry Desmarest's Circé.

After the divine sorceress Circé welcomes Ulisse and his weary companions to her island home, the forces of love, magic, and fate clash and threaten to ensnare them all. First performed in 1694 at the Paris Opera, Henry Desmarest’s Circé features a libretto by renowned poet Louise-Geneviève Gillot de Saintonge. Be captivated as this epic adventure from Homer’s Odyssey comes to life on stage with an internationally renowned cast including Lucile Richardot as Circé, GRAMMY-winner Aaron Sheehan as Ulisse, GRAMMY-nominee Teresa Wakim as Astérie, GRAMMY-nominee Jesse Blumberg as Elphénor, Amanda Forsythe as Éolie, and Douglas Williams as Polite. GRAMMY Award-winning Musical Directors Paul O'Dette and Stephen Stubbs and Orchestra Director Robert Mealy lead the all-star BEMF Orchestra and Chorus in this standout production that was recorded at the Sendesaal Bremen, August 7–19, 2022.

"The music is bathed in a warm, sensual glow enhanced by the intoxicatingly beautiful playing of the [BEMF] Orchestra … not only the best Boston Early Music Festival performance on record, but one of the finest performances of a French Baroque opera to be encountered anywhere."

—Opera (UK)

"Insightful musicianship and adroit theatricality."

—Gramophone

"Every single part from the wealth of almost 20 roles is sung excellently, all singers declaim with excellent clarity and measured expression."

—Classics Today