24/25 SEASON
WELCOME to the 24/25 Season
from the Boston Early Music Festival—
our 35 th annual concert series in Greater Boston!
Since 1990, BEMF has brought the world’s most captivating Early Music superstars to Boston concert audiences each and every year.
Join us as we celebrate our 35th anniversary by welcoming back some of our favorite artists, showcasing exciting débuts, and presenting our own GRAMMY-winning BEMF Chamber Opera Series—a very special presentation of Telemann’s Don Quichotte on Thanksgiving weekend. Cervantes’s epic story is brought to life with our all-star roster of singers, dancers, and instrumentalists.
We look forward to greeting you at all NINE programs—each is available in person AND online to our fans around the world. There are substantial discounts when you order a subscription package of three or more programs, so be sure to order today and enjoy the very best seats in the house!
Kathleen Fay Executive Director Paul O’Dette Artistic Co-Director
Stephen Stubbs Artistic Co-Director
2023 | The Dragon of Wantley | PHOTO: KATHY WITTMAN
FEBRUARY 8 Francesco Corti
14
OUR 35th SEASON!
28
4
Don’t miss a season of beloved superstars and thrilling débuts as BEMF continues to bring the world’s finest artists to Boston for performances that will inspire and delight!
This year, we welcome back artists and ensembles that have been delighting audiences for decades—including three groups that have been with us since the very start! Before our inaugural 1990/91 Season, BEMF joined with Charles River Concerts to present the 1989/90 International Early Music Series, our first foray into presenting concerts outside of our biennial Festivals. That series boasted appearances by perennial favorites such as The Tallis Scholars, Les Arts Florissants, and Hespèrion XX with Jordi Savall making his Boston début. Throughout this brochure, look for historical footnotes celebrating the artists and ensembles showcased on our 2024/25 Season!
Subscribe & Save!
Enjoy concerts performed by the world’s most charismatic and inspiring artists—all available in person and online! Subscribe to 3 or more programs and enjoy the music YOU love with exclusive benefits and savings.
FULL SEASON SUBSCRIPTION
DON’T MISS A NOTE AND SAVE 15% with our most comprehensive subscription package!
SAMPLER SUBSCRIPTION
DELIGHT IN THE MUSIC YOU LOVE AND SAVE 10%! Select 3 or more programs and tailor your season to your tastes, schedule, and budget with this flexible subscription package.
VIRTUAL TICKETS
All of our programs will be recorded and edited by an acclaimed production team including cinematographer Kathy Wittman of Ball Square Films and GRAMMY-winning recording engineer Antonio Oliart Ros. Videos can be viewed on our secure online platform for a period of at least two weeks and will premiere one to two weeks after the in-person performance. Virtual Tickets will be included FREE with all in-person tickets or can be purchased on their own.
2023 | The Dragon of Wantley
PHOTO: KATHY WITTMAN
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!
We are profoundly grateful for the support of our devoted fans and friends around the world. More than ever, your help is crucial to address the difficult challenges we face and for us to continue our tradition of bringing you thrilling performances by today’s finest Early Music artists into the future.
Revenue from ticket sales—even from a sold-out performance—accounts for less than half of the total cost of producing our operas and concerts. The remainder is derived almost entirely from generous friends like you. Please consider supporting the Boston Early Music Festival with a contribution accompanying your ticket purchase. We thank you for your thoughtful consideration.
Make a gift at BEMF.org/Support
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
PHOTO: KATHY WITTMAN
Vox Luminis
LIONEL MEUNIER, Director
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2024
8PM | NEC’s Jordan Hall, Boston, MA
VIRTUAL PREMIERE: Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 8pm (ET)
Available to watch until November 23, 2024 at 11:59pm (ET)
Vox Luminis made their BEMF début at the June 2015 Festival. This will be their 7th appearance on the BEMF concert stage.
“The refinement… is never anything less than sublime.” —GRAMOPHONE
EIN DEUTSCHES BAROCKREQUIEM: Texts from the Brahms Requiem set by German Baroque masters | Johannes Brahms created a new structure for his Ein Deutsches Requiem, favoring the spiritual character of its meditations on death over the more formal structure of the traditional Latin Requiem and drawing his texts from a variety of Lutheran biblical sources. These German texts have been set by many illustrious composers through the ages. The Gramophone Award–winning Vox Luminis and Director Lionel Meunier—lauded for extensive and evocative explorations of early German Baroque vocal repertoire—lead us on a journey inspired by Brahms’s vision by way of these earlier, exquisite compositions, imagining a very different-sounding yet deeply emotional German Baroque Requiem.
Venice Baroque Orchestra
ANDREA MARCON, Conductor CHOUCHANE SIRANOSSIAN, violin
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2024
8PM | NEC’s Jordan Hall, Boston, MA
VIRTUAL PREMIERE: Friday, November 15, 2024 at 8pm (ET)
Available to watch until November 29, 2024 at 11:59pm (ET)
The Venice Baroque Orchestra returns again, 20 years after débuting on BEMF’s 2004/05 Season. The VBO has previously performed for BEMF audiences on 6 occasions, most recently in February 2020. Chouchane Siranossian makes her BEMF début in this concert.
“Chouchane Siranossian plays… with terrific verve and unfailing good taste.” —THE
STRAD
A
VENETIAN DUEL OF BOWS: Music of Vivaldi, Tartini, Veracini, and Locatelli | Thrill to a
program of audacious theatricality from the four musketeers of the Venetian Baroque—Vivaldi, Veracini, Tartini, and Locatelli—as the Venice Baroque Orchestra and violinist Chouchane
Siranossian imagine a “battle of the bows” among these celebrated masters. On this battlefield, the violin is the weapon of choice, ideal for demonstrating virtuosity and technical prowess as the performer strives to astonish the listener with compelling artistry and bravura. Don’t miss the spectacular fireworks of this electrifying collaboration between world-class soloist and ensemble performing some of the most brilliantly invigorating concertos from the Venetian Baroque.
BOSTON EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL CHAMBER OPERA SERIES
PRESENTS
Cervantes’s epic story is brought to life through the irresistible music of Georg Philipp Telemann!
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2024 | 8PM
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2024 | 3PM
New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall, Boston, MA
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2024 | 7:30PM (Concert Version)
The Morgan Library & Museum, New York, NY n themorgan.org
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2024 | 7:30PM
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy, NY n troymusichall.org
VIRTUAL PREMIERE: Sunday, December 15, 2024 at 8pm (ET)
Available to watch until December 29, 2024 at 11:59pm (ET)
“An
absolute delight.”
—THE NEW YORK TIMES
Charles-Antoine Coypel, The Entrance of Love and Wealth at Camacho’s Wedding,
Château de Compiègne, France. Photo: RMN-Grand Palais / Art Resource, NY
Join the singers, dancers, instrumentalists, and directors of the GRAMMY-winning BEMF CHAMBER OPERA SERIES for a rare staged performance of Telemann’s lovely serenata, Don Quichotte auf der Hochzeit des Comacho, which sees Don Quixote and his squire Sancho Panza stumble upon the idyllic wedding of wealthy sheep rancher Comacho to the beautiful Quiteria—but her childhood sweetheart Basilio is ready to disrupt the festivities even if it’s the last thing he ever does! Woven throughout the entertainment will be movements from Telemann’s delightful orchestral suite Burlesque de Don Quichotte, a work that uses strikingly evocative music to depict various episodes from the classic novel by Cervantes.
Paul O’Dette & Stephen Stubbs, Musical Directors
Gilbert Blin, Stage Director
Robert Mealy, Concertmaster
Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière, Choreographer
Gwen van den Eijnde, Costume Designer
Kelly Martin, Lighting Designer
Anna Mansbridge, Assistant Stage Director
Kathleen Fay, Executive Producer
Christian Immler, Don Quichotte
Jason McStoots, Sancho Pansa
Emily Siar, Quiteria
Michael Galvin, Comacho
Cody Bowers, Basilio
Richard Pittsinger, Grisóstomo
Jason Rober, Pedrillo
ORDER NOW! BEMF.org
The Tallis Scholars
PETER PHILLIPS, Director
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2024
8PM | St. Paul Church, Cambridge, MA
VIRTUAL PREMIERE: Friday, December 13, 2024 at 8pm (ET)
Available to watch until December 27, 2024 at 11:59pm (ET)
The Tallis Scholars began making annual appearances on the BEMF concert stage before BEMF even had its own yearly concert series! This will mark the ensemble’s 36th consecutive season appearing with BEMF.
“One of the world’s premier vocal ensembles.” —WASHINGTON POST
IN DULCI JUBILO: Music of Praetorius, von Bingen, Lassus, Victoria, and others | For a thousand years, plainchant represented the heart of Western “classical” music. The legendary voices of The Tallis Scholars revisit this living tradition with a transcendant celebration for the Christmas season. Director Peter Phillips leads his beloved ensemble in their 36th consecutive season performing for BEMF audiences with a journey through centuries of chant music and the polyphony constructed from it, from boundary-pushing chants composed by 12th-century abbess Hildegard von Bingen, to Renaissance works including chant-based motets such as Nunc dimittus by Lassus and Salve regina by Obrecht, Victoria, and Franco, to the medieval In dulci jubilo melody set by Praetorius and Pearsall, and to Arvo Pärt’s reconceptualizing of the chant tradition, inspired in part by Eastern Orthodox practices.
Francesco Corti, harpsichord
& organ
with the BEMF Chamber Ensemble
ROBERT MEALY, Director
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2025
8PM | First Lutheran Church, Boston, MA
VIRTUAL PREMIERE: Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 8pm (ET)
Available to watch until March 8, 2025 at 11:59pm (ET)
Francesco Corti first appeared with BEMF at our 2021 Virtual Festival before making his in-person début at our 2023 Festival. This will be his first performance on BEMF’s annual concert series.
“A powerhouse of unbridled vivacity, exciting and excitable in equal measure.” —BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE
KEYBOARD MASTERPIECES BY HANDEL | Join us for a one-of-a-kind event featuring the stunning virtuoso Francesco Corti performing a solo work for harpischord and joining with our own all-star
BEMF Chamber Ensemble and director Robert Mealy to present two Organ Concertos by Handel on the magnificent Richards, Fowkes & Co. Opus 10 organ at Boston’s First Lutheran Church. Celebrating the biennial conference of the American Handel Society—February 6–9, 2025 in Boston—the program will showcase two selections (No. 1 and No. 4) from Handel’s innovative Opus 4, which first established the form of the organ concerto.
Robert Mealy, concertmaster; Sarah Darling, violin; Laura Jeppesen, viola; Phoebe Carrai, violoncello; Heather Miller Lardin, double bass; Debra Nagy & Kathryn Montoya, oboe; Allen Hamrick, bassoon
Agave
REGINALD MOBLEY, countertenor
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025
8PM | First Church in Cambridge, Congregational, Cambridge, MA
VIRTUAL PREMIERE: Friday, February 28, 2025 at 8pm (ET)
Available to watch until March 14, 2025 at 11:59pm (ET)
This performance marks Agave’s BEMF début. Countertenor Reginald Mobley has performed with the BEMF Vocal & Chamber Ensembles on several occasions, most recently at our 2021 Virtual Festival.
“It was the interaction between Agave and Mr. Mobley that created the real magic.”
—SAN FRANCISCO CLASSICAL VOICE
RUM AND REBELLION | Explore the turbulent crossroads of revolution, the rum industry, and the transatlantic slave trade in the Caribbean, South America, and Europe in a fascinating program with the San Francisco–based Agave in the string ensemble’s BEMF début alongside star countertenor Reginald Mobley. These GRAMMY-nominated collaborators explore works by Black British composer, rum merchant, and abolitionist Ignatius Sancho as well as Brazilian master José Mauricio Nuñes Garcia, grandson of sugar cane plantation slaves. Discover the unique and compelling voice of Cuban composer and music historian Esteban Salas and hear Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s setting of the earliest published text in Haitian Creole. From heartbreaking love songs to elegant chamber works and joyous expressions of faith, experience the music of a changing world through the eyes of composers whose stories are finally being told.
Stile Antico
FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2025
8PM | St. Paul Church, Cambridge, MA
VIRTUAL PREMIERE: Friday, April 11, 2025 at 8pm (ET)
Available to watch until April 25, 2025 at 11:59pm (ET)
Stile Antico made their North American début at BEMF’s 2009 Festival, and the singers have been Boston regulars ever since.
“There are no finer singers of early music.”
—THE NEW YORK TIMES
THE GOLDEN RENAISSANCE: A journey through Stile Antico’s favorite music | In this brilliant and vividly contrasted program, Stile Antico selects pieces from the ensemble’s awardwinning discography to create a thrilling journey through some of the greatest music of the Renaissance. Renowned for their fresh, vibrant, and moving performances of Renaissance polyphony, join these accomplished singers as they celebrate their 20th anniversary and share this truly unique collection of some of their favorite pieces. Exuberant works by composers such as Byrd, Gibbons, Tomkins, and Praetorius rub shoulders with tranquil motets by Taverner, Clemens non Papa, and Tallis, as well as the alluring sounds of Huw Watkins’ virtuosic The Phoenix and the Turtle, written especially for the ensemble. Allegri’s timeless Miserere completes this mouthwatering program.
ORDER NOW! BEMF.org
Les Arts Florissants
THÉOTIME LANGLOIS DE SWARTE, violin
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025
8PM | NEC’s Jordan Hall, Boston, MA
VIRTUAL PREMIERE: Friday, April 18, 2025 at 8pm (ET)
Available to watch until May 2, 2025 at 11:59pm (ET)
BEMF first presented Les Arts Florissants as part of the International Early Music Series in 1990. Violinist Théotime Langlois de Swarte makes his BEMF début in this performance.
“Astonishingly beautiful ... wonderful sensuousness of tone and rhythmic precision.” —THE GUARDIAN
VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS AT 300 | Don’t miss a blockbuster musical event as one of Early Music’s definitive ensembles, Les Arts Florissants, are joined by the invigorating violin virtuoso
Théotime Langlois de Swarte—hailed by Gramophone for his “seemingly effortless blend of control and abandon.” These incomparable instrumentalists commemorate the original publication of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons in 1725. Experience this iconic masterwork anew as Vivaldi’s beloved concertos are presented alongside Venetian music that inspired the great composer—or was inspired by him—with selections by Monteverdi, Uccellini, Geminiani, and Corelli.
Jordi Savall & Hespèrion XXI
SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 2025
3PM | NEC’s Jordan Hall, Boston, MA
VIRTUAL PREMIERE: Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 8pm (ET)
Available to watch until May 11, 2025 at 11:59pm (ET)
Jordi Savall and the then-named Hespèrion XX made their Boston début in 1989 as part of the International Early Music Series presented by BEMF.
“All the mornings of the world may fade away, but Jordi Savall endures.” —THE BOSTON GLOBE
MUSIC OF FIRE AND LOVE: An eclectic program of folías, variations, and improvisations
One of the most versatile musical personalities of his generation, Jordi Savall has thrilled millions of Early Music lovers around the world for over half a century. A tireless researcher and an eternally engaging performer, he made his Boston début with BEMF in 1989 and has remained a favorite and a friend ever since. Join him and his legendary ensemble Hespèrion XXI for a stunning journey through Baroque music from England, Peru, Mexico, Spain, and more.
Xavier Díaz-Latorre, vihuela, theorbo & guitar; Andrew Lawrence-King, arpa doppia; Marco Vitale, harpsichord; Xavier Puertas, violone; David Mayoral, percussion; Jordi Savall, Director & treble and bass viols
ORDER NOW! BEMF.org
n TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2024 | 7:30PM BEMF CHAMBER OPERA SERIES PRESENTS (CONCERT VERSION)
n THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2025 | 7:30PM
O’DETTE STUBBS
Boson Early Music Fesival | JUNE 4 –11, 2023 Boson Early Music Fesival | JUNE 8 -15, 2025
Don’t miss North America’s premier celebration of Early Music, offering a week full of lively and engaging performances from the world’s most acclaimed artists and ensembles!
n Enjoy a fully staged CENTERPIECE OPERA with the North American premiere of Reinhard Keiser’s Octavia.
n Experience an evening of intimate CHAMBER OPERA with a revival of BEMF’s 2021 production of Telemann’s Pimpinone & Ino.
n Explore an astonishing selection of FESTIVAL CONCERTS spanning centuries of music from the world’s finest artists and ensembles.
n With 2 opera productions, 18 Festival Concerts, keyboard and organ recitals, dozens of Fringe Concerts, and the world-famous Exhibition, this is a truly unique musical event not to be missed!
—THE BOSTON GLOBE SAVE THE DATES!
TICKETS GO ON SALE LATER THIS YEAR!
“An embarassment of riches.”
2019
Orlando
|
generoso | PHOTO: KATHY WITTMAN
SEATING CHARTS
Please note: many
D Level seats have a partially obstructed view of the stage.
Dress Circle seats will be A Level seats for performances without Dress Circle seating.
Virtual Tickets will be included FREE with all in-person tickets or can be purchased on their own.
Subscribe to the Boston Early Music Festival and enjoy the music YOU love with exclusive savings. All subscribers enjoy FREE, flexible ticket exchanges for all in-person tickets.
ALL IN-PERSON TICKET BUYERS RECEIVE:
• COMPLIMENTARY VIRTUAL TICKETS for in-person ticket purchases.
• FREE TICKET REPLACEMENT: If you lose your tickets, just contact the Box Office and we will replace them at no charge.
• SPECIAL DISCOUNTS: Seniors, students, and groups of 10 or more can save $5 off regular ticket prices. These discounts cannot be combined with a subscription.
With the purchase of a single VIRTUAL TICKET, you and your household can watch the performance as many times as you would like during the availability period and on multiple devices, but only on one device at time. Virtual Premieres will be one to two weeks following the in-person performance. Premiere dates and availability periods are listed in this brochure and at BEMF.org.
In lieu of Pre-Concert Talks at the venue, we will present online PRE-CONCERT VIDEOS with informative discussions featuring scholars and artists the week before each program—FREE to watch on YouTube or at BEMF.org.
All sales are final. Non-subscription tickets cannot be exchanged. Programs are subject to change.
n FULL SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS | Save 15% on all 9 programs!
Virtual Tickets are included FREE with all Dress, A, B, C, and D subscriptions or can be purchased on their own.
Dress/A/B/C/D: Select your Don Quichotte performance: Sat, 11/30 Sun, 12/1
n SAMPLER SUBSCRIPTIONS | Save 10% on 3 or more programs!
You may purchase differently priced tickets to different concerts, as well as different quantities of tickets, as long as you select at least 3 different programs. Virtual Tickets are included FREE with all Dress, A, B, C, and D tickets or can be purchased on their own.
10/26 Vox Luminis __@$95 __@$60 __@$45 __@$30 __@$25 $_______
By purchasing tickets, I agree to abide by all health and safety protocols in effect at the time of each event. Visit BEMF.org/safety for current policies.
n PERSONAL INFORMATION
SEATING NOTES
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Please consider adding a tax-deductible contribution to your ticket order. Your generous support allows BEMF to continue presenting spectacular concerts and operas.
Your email address will never be shared with any other organization. Please deliver my tickets by: EMAIL MAIL
n PAYMENT
OCTOBER 26, 2024
VOX LUMINIS
NOVEMBER 2, 2024
VENICE BAROQUE ORCHESTRA
NOVEMBER 30 & DECEMBER 1, 2024
BEMF CHAMBER OPERA SERIES
DECEMBER 6, 2024 THE TALLIS SCHOLARS
FEBRUARY 8, 2025
FRANCESCO CORTI
FEBRUARY 14, 2025 AGAVE
MARCH 28, 2025 STILE ANTICO
APRIL 4, 2025
LES ARTS FLORISSANTS
APRIL 13, 2025
JORDI SAVALL & HESPÈRION XXI BEMF .org | 617-661-1812
InternatIonal Baroque opera • CeleBrated ConCerts • World-famous exhIBItIon
43 Thorndike Street, Suite 302 Cambridge, MA 02141-1764
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