Niccolò Jommelli's Cerere Placata (1772)

Opera Lafayette Season 2018-2019

Cerere Placata (Ceres Placated) is a festive theatrical work from 1772 celebrating the birth and baptism of Princess Maria Teresia of Naples and Sicily. The story is based on the myth of the abduction of Persephone, and tells a dramatic tale of mother and daughter in conflict, reconciling only after a surprise intercession by Jupiter. One of the most famous composers of his day, the Neapolitan master Jommelli affected the course of opera in the 18th century and was a major influence on Mozart. These performances were a modern premiere, in a new edition prepared and conducted by Charles Brink, the company’s second guest musical director and the first to conduct Opera Lafayette’s Orchestra.

A pre-performance discussion with Ryan Brown and Charles Brink took place an hour before the performance. They were joined by Dr. Anthony DelDonna, Professor of Musicology and Director of the Music Program at Georgetown University, for the discussion at the Kennedy Center.

Modern Premiere | New Edition

Charles Brink, Guest Conductor
Paul Peers, Stage Director

Jennifer Casey-Cabot, Cerere (Queen of Sicily and Goddess of the Harvest)
Laetitia Grimaldi, Proserpina (Cerere’s Daughter)
Stephanie Houtzeel, Titano (King of Spain, who has eloped with Proserpina)
Thomas Michael Allen, Alfeo (Cerere’s Counselor)
Arianna Zukerman, Gran Sacerdote (High Priest)
Patrick Kilbride, Giove (Jupiter)

ReviewS

“Personally, I no longer ponder whether I want to attend an OL performance or not; I just go. Their productions are as authentic as you can get.” | Read Full Review | Michael Rogers, Opera Gene, October 31, 2018

“As so often with these forgotten scores that fill in blank spaces in operatic history, Cerere Placata offered real insight into the ways brilliant composers were solving, before the public’s fascinated eyes, the problems of turning dramatic incident into musical event. I’m very grateful to Opera Lafayette for displaying it for us.” | Read Full Review | John Yohalem, Parterre Box, October 31, 2018

Performed

Washington, DC:
Tuesday, October 24, 2017, 7:30 p.m.
The Terrace Theater, The Kennedy Center

New York City:
Wednesday, October 25, 2017, 7:30 p.m.
Elebash Recital Hall, the Graduate Center (CUNY)

Explore more performances from Opera Lafayette past seasons.