The Era of Madame de Pompadour
Opera Lafayette’s
2022/2023 Season
Opera Lafayette’s 2022-2023 season illuminates the Era of Madame de Pompadour, the second of three seasons highlighting the relation of historical women in 18th century France to the musical life of their time. In three distinct programs, Artistic Director Ryan Brown highlights the talents of young artistic associates and musical directors with flourishing careers in early music.
Performances will be held in both Washington, DC and New York City.
In the Salons of Versailles
This much-anticipated chamber program is dedicated to the musical salons in the era of Madame de Pompadour. Under the musical direction of violinist Jacob Ashworth, it will feature the eminent soprano Emmanuelle de Negri, Justin Jonathan Taylor, harpsichordist; June Huang, violin; Isaiah Chapman, viola; and Serafim Smigelskiy, cello.
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Terrace Theater
Washington, DC
Friday, December 2, 2022, 7:30pm
&
El Museo del Barrio
New York, NY
Wednesday, May 10, 2023, 7:00pm
Pergolesi!
This program is dedicated to the music of Pergolesi, whose enormous popularity during the era of Madame de Pompadour inspired the Guerre des Bouffons, an intellectual and artistic battle between partisans of Italian and French music. The performance will feature a semi-staged program of the Italian composer’s extraordinarily popular comedy La Servante maîtresse and a concert rendition of his beloved Stabat Mater, conducted by Patrick Dupré Quigley.
With Musical Direction by Guest Conductor Patrick Dupré Quigley, Stage Direction (La Servante Maîtresse) by Nick Olcott. Featuring Soprano Gwendoline Blondeel*, Mezzo Soprano Sarah Mesko* , Soprano Hannah De Priest*, Bass-Baritone Jonathan Woody, and Tenor Patrick Kilbride.
*Mesko and Blondeel (Stabat Mater), de Priest (Servante Maitresse)
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Terrace Theater
Washington, DC
Thursday, February 2, 2023, 7:30pm
Pre-Concert Lecture, 6:30- 7pm in the theater
Post-Show Reception with the cast immediately following concert at the Watergate Hotel - Library. Separate tickets must be purchased and space is limited.
&
El Museo del Barrio
New York, NY
Thursday, May 11, 2023, 7:00pm
Opéra-ballet: Rameau’s Io and de La Garde’s Léandre et Héro
an historic world premiere
This double bill comprises two fully staged one-act opéra-ballets, including the notable debut of a never-before performed Rameau comedy titled Io. This unfinished opéra-ballet was recently completed with music from Rameau's Platée by Doctor of Musicology and foremost scholar and editor of Rameau Opera Omnia Sylvie Bouissou. The other work, a modern premiere of Pierre de La Garde’s Léandre et Héro, is a lyric drama in which M. de Pompadour herself performed and which recently came to light through efforts of Opera Lafayette and the Bibliotheque Nationale.
“Theatrical genius” (The New Yorker), and a “renowned, multifaceted artist” (Vogue), Machine Dazzle will create more than a dozen new costumes for the Io production. In roles ranging from gods to mortals, singers and dancers alike will don Dazzle’s works of art. Learn more about Machine Dazzle.
The productions will feature dance Seán Curran Company (choreographer Seán Curran) and New York Baroque Dance Company (choreographer Catherine Turocy).
Emmanuelle de Negri, soprano, and Maxime Melnik, tenor (U.S. debut) will star in the title roles and be joined by Doug Williams, Gwendoline Blondeel, and Patrick Kilbride.
Avi Stein will conduct and Nick Olcott will return to Opera Lafayette to direct.
Upcoming Performances
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Terrace Theater
Washington, DC
Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 7:30pm
Wednesday, May 3, 2023, 7:30pm
Pre-Concert Lecture 6:30-7pm in the theater both nights
&
El Museo del Barrio
New York, NY
Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 6:30pm
Tickets On Sale September 12, 2022
Featured scholars for The Era of Madame de Pompadour include Julia Doe, Sylvie Bouissou, and Mathias Auclair.