NEW YORK baroque FESTIVAL 2023:
The Era of Madame de Pompadour
MAY 9 - 11, 2023
The Era of Madame de pomopadour
Opera Lafayette is thrilled to present the second of three New York Festivals 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.
Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, Marquise de Pompadour, most commonly known as Madame de Pompadour, was an incredibly influential member of the French court. She was the official chief mistress of King Louis XV from 1745 to 1751, and remained a key advisor as a court favorite until her death in 1764.
For single ticket sales, see below.
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.
El Museo del Barrio
New York, NY
Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 6:30pm
Opera Lafayette’s New York Gala
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Barbara Tober, Gala Chair
honoring Henry timms
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS H.R.H. PRINCESS CHANTAL DE FRANCE, BARON FRANÇOIS-XAVIER DE SAMBUCY DE SORGUE AND MACHINE DAZZLE
Please join us for a celebration of Opera Lafayette’s
2nd Annual New York City Baroque Music Festival
The evening begins at El Museo del Barrio with the centerpiece of this year’s Festival, Opéra-ballet: Rameau’s Io and de La Garde’s Léandre et Héro. The double bill will include a historic world premiere of Jean-Phillippe Rameau’s Io with costumes designed by “theatrical genius,” Machine Dazzle (The New Yorker).
Directly following the performance, the celebration will continue across the street at the Museum of the City of New York, with a gala dinner in honor of Henry Timms, featuring further performances by Opera Lafayette artists. Special guests will include H.R.H. Princess Chantal de France, The Baron François-Xavier de Sambucy de Sorgue and Machine Dazzle.
In the Salons of Versailles
In the Salons of Versailles, this chamber program dedicated to the world of the musical salons in the era of Madame de Pompadour, is under the musical direction of violinist Jacob Ashworth and features the eminent soprano Emmanuelle de Negri. Joining them will be Justin Jonathan Taylor, harpsichordist; June Huang, violin; Isaiah Chapman, viola; and Seraphim Smigelskiy, cello.
Wednesday, May 10, 2023, 7:00pm
El Museo del Barrio
New York, NY
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)
El Museo del Barrio
New York, NY
Thursday, May 11, 2023, 7:00pm
Featured scholars for The Era of Madame de Pompadour include Julia Doe, Sylvie Bouissou, and Mathias Auclair.