FREE YOUTH CONCERT, New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall, 30 Gainsborough Street, 10:00am:

BEMF Youth Ensemble, Julia McKenzie, director, BEMF Beyond Borders, Nina Stern and Cléa Galhano, directors, and A String Fort Smith, Lori Fay, director

CONCERT, Boreas Quartett Bremen, 12:30pm:

Shakespeare in Love:
The Festival Concert Week comes to a glorious conclusion with the return of Boreas Quartett Bremen alongside guest artist and BEMF Orchestra member Kathryn Montoya. Performing on their 14-part Renaissance consort, these exceptional artists have created a beautiful program exploring the many stages of love in William Shakespeare’s works. They will present vivid masterpieces by Dowland, Tye, Palestrina, Byrd, and many others, interspersed with readings of Shakespeare’s timeless sonnets and soliloquies by actor Caleb Mayo.

PRE-OPERA TALK, 2:00pm:

Keiser’s Octavia: Rivalry and Recompense; presented by John H. Roberts, Professor Emeritus, University of California, Berkeley

OPENING FANFARE, Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre, 3:10pm
Keiser's Octavia Members of the BEMF Orchestra

ENTERPIECE OPERA, Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre, 3:30pm:

The virtuous Empress Octavia is betrayed by her increasingly erratic husband, Nero, putting all of Rome on the brink of rebellion.
Written for the famed Hamburg Opera in 1705, Keiser’s monumental work brings lavish spectacle and brilliant orchestration to a nuanced tale of the corruption of power and the resilience of love. A fantastical parade of philosophers, clowns, ghosts, and despots comes alive on the stage as the noble Octavia struggles to survive the turmoil and cruelty around her.

Tiridates, the King of Armenia, has come to Rome to pledge his allegiance to the Empire. Emperor Nero officially restores the king to his throne while growing infatuated with Tiridates’ wife, Ormœna, much to the dismay of Empress Octavia. Tensions rise as the Roman citizens grow restless over Nero’s lavish attempts to court the Armenian Queen and rid himself of his own bride. As Rome breaks out in open rebellion, Octavia must find a way to persevere amidst the chaos.

GRAMMY-winning Musical Directors Paul O’Dette & Stephen Stubbs and acclaimed Stage Director Gilbert Blin lead an all-new production replete with opulent stagecraft and impeccable musicianship. Breathtaking sets, sumptuous, period-inspired costumes, exquisite Baroque dance, and beautifully evocative music combine in an operatic feast sure to delight.

CONCERT, ExtravaGamba, NEC's Jordan Hall, Boston, MA 5:00pm:

From Byrd to Purcell and Beyond: Music for 2 to 16 viols
With musicians drawn from the BEMF Orchestra and Festival artists over the years, the BEMF Viol Collective, led by Christel  Thielmann, presents a richly varied program of musical gems guaranteed to touch the heart. Luxuriate in the lush timbres of the viol in beloved selections from the English viol consort repertoire: from noble pavans and lively dances to tuneful ballads with fanciful variations, soulful In nomines to whimsical fantasias, and playful dialogues to haunting harmonies—plus some festive polychoral pieces from across the Alps to top off this sonorous feast!

PRE-OPERA TALK, BEMF Orchestra, 12:00 - 7:00pm:

The Water Music: On It or In It?; presented by Ellen T. Harris, Class of 1949 Professor Emeritus, MIT

CHAMBER OPERA, Telemann's Pimpinone and Ino

New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall, 30 Gainsborough Street, 8:00pm:

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.

CONCERT, Boston Early Music Festival Chamber Ensemble & Friends, 10:30pm:

Starry, Starry Night: Music of Monteverdi, Luigi Rossi, Carissimi, and Steffani
Our biennial Festivals bring together leading Early Music artists in our opera productions and concerts throughout this jam-packed week. Musical Directors Paul O’Dette and Stephen Stubbs draw from this dazzling array of talent to deal out brilliance as if from an astonishing deck of musical cards for our traditional Saturday-night celebration. Come and party with the stars of our 2025 Festival as we present some of our favorite music from past projects—masterworks by Monteverdi, Steffani, Luigi Rossi, and Carissimi—as well as rare jewels never before heard on a BEMF concert stage!

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