Fully Staged Opera Presented by Boston Early Music Festival June 12-19

The Boston Early Music Festival (BEMF) presents the fully staged North American premiere of Steffani's opera, Niobe, Regina di Tebe as the centerpiece of the June 2011 Festival, with five (5) performances from June 12 to 19, at the Cutler Majestic Theatre at Emerson College (219 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, USA) followed by two (2) performances in the Berkshires at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center (14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, USA) on June 24 and 25. An important influence on the Baroque composer, George Frideric Handel, Steffani's brilliant music recounts a story from Ovid's Metamorphoses about the Queen of Thebes whose pride earns her family the vengeance of the gods.

"Our discovery of this unknown masterpiece has been very exciting," remarks Artistic Co-Director Paul O'Dette. "Niobe is an extraordinary piece - with breathtaking music, intense drama, and spectacular sets and costumes. BEMF has assembled 75 singers, dancers, and instrumentalists perfectly suited to bring it to life."

Leading the international cast will be soprano Amanda Forsythe as Niobe. Ms. Forsythe has performed in numerous BEMF opera productions and is a rising international star. In the role of Anfione, Niobe's husband, countertenor Philippe Jaroussky makes his North American stage début. Mr. Jaroussky counts a 2008 Echo Award for Best Singer and a recent The New York Times Magazine among a growing number of accolades. The production will be led by three-time Grammy-nominated BEMF Artistic Co-Directors Paul O'Dette and Stephen Stubbs; Stage Director Gilbert Blin; and Costume Designer Anna Watkins.

Tickets are priced from $30 to $250 and are available through the BEMF Box Office at 617-868-BEMF or WWW.BEMF.ORG. Tickets can also be purchased through the individual venues at 617-824-8000 or AEStages.org for the Cutler Majestic Theatre and 413-528-0100 or mahaiwe.org for the Mahaiwe.

Recognized as the preeminent early music presenting organization in North America, the Boston Early Music Festival has been credited with securing Boston's reputation as "America's early music capital" (The Boston Globe). Founded in 1981, BEMF offers diverse programs and activities, including an annual Concert Series, the biennial week-long Festival and Exhibition, and Grammy-nominated opera recordings.

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