Chess King © George B. Diebold / Corbis

Handel, Xerxes (Serse)
Friday, October 24, 7:30 pm
Saturday, October 25, 7:30 pm
NEC’s Jordan Hall
Opera introduction at 6:30 pm
Semi-staged. Paul Peers, director.
Sung in Italian. English titles.

Featuring the extraordinary male soprano
Michael Maniaci in the title role.

Composed in 1738, Xerxes was among Handel’s last great operas. The tale of high-born romantic intrigue centers on Xerxes, King of Persia, and includes bravura arias, comedy, passion—and “Ombra mai fu,” the beautiful aria better known as “Handel’s Largo.” The stellar cast includes Amanda Forsythe, Marie Lenormand, Leah Wool, Michael Scarcelle, Ava Pine and Mark Schnaible.

“Energy, fire and sparkle!”
(Opera News on BB’s performance of Handel’s Semele)

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People first come to hear Martin Pearlman’s thrilling interpretation of Handel’s Messiah because it is Grammy-nominated and internationally acclaimed. But they return, year after year, because they find it so personally moving. Join us in exquisite Jordan Hall to experience the intimacy, as well as the grandeur, of Handel’s vision.

Tamara Matthews, soprano
Alan Dornak, countertenor
Keith Jameson, tenor
Kevin Deas, bass-baritone

“The oratorio SIZZLED with biblical fervor, religious witness and theatrical vividness.” (Boston Herald)

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J.S. Bach, Violin concerto in E Major
Handel, Concerto Grosso in G Major, Op. 6, No. 1
Handel’s dramatic cantata, “Agrippina condotta a morire”
J.S. Bach, Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major

Kristen Watson, soprano
Christina Day Martinson, violin

“Boston Baroque makes Handel bounce, caper, glide, and sing!” (The Stranger, Seattle, WA)

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Lully, Suite for Orchestra
Lully, Motets: "Regina coeli" and "O dulcissime"
Charpentier, Missa Assumpta est Maria
Rameau, Pygmalion (opera-ballet)

The French Baroque repertoire is rich, fascinating, colorful—and too little heard in this country. This program offers a cross-section. Martin Pearlman has assembled the opening Suite for Orchestra from various dances taken from Lully's operas. Charpentier’s mass is extraordinarily beautiful and deeply introspective. Rameau’s opera-ballet explores the myth of Pygmalion, the sculptor who falls hopelessly in love with the statue he has carved of a beautiful woman. Vocal soloists include: Robert Getchell, tenor, as Pygmalion; Meredith Hall, soprano; and Kristen Watson, soprano.

Pygmalion features dancer/choreographer Marjorie Folkman, former principal with the Mark Morris Dance Group.

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