Opera Atelier have announced the line up for their 2024/25 season. As with other recent seasons there’s one show at the Elgin Theatre and one at Koerner Hall.
The first show, October 24th – 27th, 2024, is Handel’s Acis and Galatea at the Elgin. I’m not going to complain about more English language Handel! Bring it on. This show is indicative of the growing relationship between OA and Versailles with French tenor Antonin Rondepierre in the role of Acis and Blaise Rantoanina singing the role of Damon. The cast is completed by Meghan Lindsey as Galatea (yea!) and Douglas Williams as Polyphemus. Christopher Bagan conducts which is also nice to see.
The second show, April 9th to 13th, 2025, is Marc Antoine Charpentier’s David and Jonathan, at Koerner Hall. This is a production that had its origins at Versailles and has toured extensively. The cast is a mix of French and local talent with baroque specialist bass-baritone David Witczak in the role of Saul, French tenor (from the Versailles production) Antonin Rondepierre as Joabel, Colin Ainsworth as David and Mireille Asselin as Jonathan. David Fallis conducts.
The rest of the production details are the usual suspects. Marshall Pynkoski directs, Jeannette Zingg choreographs and both productions feature the Atelier Ballet and Tafelmusik in the pit. The Nathaniel Dett Chorale will form the chorus for Acis and Galatea with Tafelmusik Chamber Choir stepping in for David and Jonathan..
It’s a good line up. Charpentier is a rather neglected composer and I’m never going to complain about more Handel. It’s also rather a nice mix of singers; French baroque specialists and local favourites.
(Edited 8th March to indicate the correct choral line up)
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