Philharmonia Baroque features Susan Graham in 17th century English opera, "The Passion of Dido"

November 1, 1:29 PMSF Opera ExaminerCindy Warner

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WHO: Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra – “America’s Period-Instrument Orchestra”
Nicholas McGegan, Music Director
 

WHAT: The Passion of Dido
PURCELL Suite from Abdelazer
“O Sing Unto the Lord a New Song”
Chacony in G minor
“Hear My Prayer, O Lord”
Dido and Aeneas
 

FEATURING Nicholas McGegan, conductor
Susan Graham, mezzo-soprano (pictured above)

William Berger, baritone
 

Cyndia Sieden, soprano

Celine Ricci, soprano

Jill Grove, contralto

Brian Thorsett, tenor
 

Philharmonia Chorale
Bruce Lamott, director
 

WHEN/WHERE: Thursday, November 5, 2009, at 8:00 p.m.
San Francisco – Herbst Theatre (401 Van Ness Avenue)
Friday, November 6, 2009, at 8:00 p.m.
Palo Alto – First United Methodist Church (625 Hamilton Avenue)
Saturday, November 7, 2009, at 8:00 p.m.
Berkeley – First Congregational Church (2345 Channing Way)
Sunday, November 8, 2009, at 7:30 p.m.
Berkeley – First Congregational Church (2345 Channing Way)
Wednesday, November 11, 2009, at 8:00 p.m.
Los Angeles – Walt Disney Concert Hall (111 South Grand Avenue)
Saturday, November 14, 2009, at 8:00 p.m.
Davis – Mondavi Performing Arts Center (9399 Old Davis Road)
 

– MORE –
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra November 2009 Concert
TICKETS Tickets start at $25 and are available through City Box Office at (415) 392-4400
or online at www.cityboxoffice.com. If available, Student Rush tickets are $10
and go on sale one hour before the start of the concerts. To learn more about all
of PBO’s concerts, visit the Orchestra’s website at www.philharmonia.org.
 

Experience the luminescent voice of “America’s favorite mezzo” Susan Graham, as she performs
Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, a Baroque masterpiece and the first English opera. Purcell is one
of PBO’s most beloved composers. So, to celebrate his 350th birthday, Music Director Nicholas
McGegan will conduct a stellar cast of vocalists, the Orchestra’s outstanding musicians and the
wonderful Philharmonia Chorale in this mythical tale of love, passion, betrayal and madness.

The 1689 libretto by Nahum Tate only runs about one page although it's a three act opera.  It's based on the Aeneid by Virgil and premiered at Hosiah Priest's Boarding School for Girls, London, in October or December of 1689.  The librettist adds the wicked element of witches and sorcery. 

The program also features Purcell’s suite written for Aphra Behn’s Abdelazar, or The Moor’s Revenge, a tragedy of bloody political intrigue in the Spanish Court, and his early Chacony in G minor, putting
an English spin on the popular French dance. Don’t miss this enchanting, star-studded evening!
 

Does The Moor's Revenge happen to coincide with San Francisco Opera's final opera of this season, Otello?  It's Verdi's tale of the Moorish warrior's jealousy arising from his wife's dalliances.  A political rival exploits the jealousy and drives Otello to kill.

Visit www.philharmonia.org/nov09.html to hear Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra performing music
by Purcell.
 

For more information, visit www.philharmonia.org or call (415) 252-1288.

Past performances about wickedness by Philharmonia Baroque:

PBO conquers "Handel's Wicked Queen, Athalia"
 

Athalia, Handel's Wicked Queen, oratorio for English opera fans (part 2 of 3)

Philharmonia Baroque conquers Handel's Wicked Queen with counter tenor Robin Blaze (part one)

Susan Graham to sing at PBO and hosted The Audition documentary

The Audtion broadcast from the Met 

ABOUT:
For the last 28 years, San Francisco’s Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra (PBO) has been dedicated to
historically-informed performance of Baroque, Classical and early Romantic music on original
instruments. Led by Music Director Nicholas McGegan since 1985, PBO is recognized as one of the
finest chamber orchestras, as well as one of the most exciting period-instrument ensembles. Drawing
on musicians from all over the United States and abroad, PBO performs seven concert programs in
four Bay Area cities each season and tours the U.S. and internationally.

The group has its own professional chorus, has commissioned new music for period instruments, and has collaborated with the Mark Morris Dance Group among others. PBO’s 24 recordings have won or been nominated for numerous awards.

UPCOMING:
December 4-11
Gloria! A Holiday Celebration with Philharmonia Chorale, director Bruce Lamott and leader
Elizabeth Blumenstock – feat. Vivaldi’s “Gloria” and Winter from The Four Seasons.
February 11-14
An Elegant Romance with Nicholas McGegan, conductor, and Viktoria Mullova, violin – U.S.
premiere of works by Brahms in historically informed performance with period instruments.
To learn more and hear PBO’s music: www.philharmonia.org