Monteverdi ‘Maria Vespers’ Performances in New York Cancelled

I am saddened to report that all performances of Pygmalion’s Maria Vespers (Monteverdi) which were due to take place this month have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

I travelled to Paris on Tuesday last week to begin rehearsing the piece, which we were set to perform in a staged production in Park Avenue Amory in New York at the end of March. The first day of rehearsals went well, but on the morning of the second day’s rehearsals we received the news that Donald Trump had banned all flights from Europe to the USA for the next 30 days. We were due to travel on Sunday from Paris to New York but instead received confirmation that the project must be cancelled and so I travelled immediately back to the UK to avoid becoming stuck in Paris, not knowing if any travel restrictions might be imposed on France or the UK.

My thoughts go out to all friends and colleagues who find themselves in a similar position; it seems we are all to be affected by the spread of the virus. Stay safe and well, everyone!

Carnegie Hall Debut

Following the release of the 2020-21 season from Carnegie Hall and Orchestra of Saint Lukes I am very pleased to confirm the date of my Carnegie Hall debut in March 2021 (cue the joke about getting there…but do bear in mind this is a question I am very likely to have to ask since I am blessed with a terrible sense of direction!).

On 18th March 2021 Bernard Labadie conducts the Orchestra of St. Luke’s with Amanda Forsythe, Matthew Brook, myself and La Chapelle de Québec. The performance includes Handel’s Zadok the Priest, Music for the Royal Fireworks, The King Shall Rejoice and My Heart Is Inditing and Bach’s Preise dein Glücke, gesegnetes Sachsen.

Further information can be found here:

OperaWire.com

BroadwayWorld.com

L’Orfeo – Monteverdi – Nederlandse Reisopera

“The story of Orpheus in the underworld is about us all. We all have something of Orpheus in us. Who would not want to turn back the clock every now and then and stick to the happiness of the past? That is why the Orpheus story has always inspired artists of all times.

For this staging, director Monique Wagemakers, choreographer Nanine Linning, designer Lonneke Gordijn from Studio Drift and fashion designer Marlou Breuls created L’ORFEO for the Nederlandse Reisopera. Their vision is that of a Gesamtkunstwerk; stage direction, choreography, sculpture, costume and music are completely merged together.

Nanine Linning and Monique Wagemakers forged the ten singers and ten dancers into one homogeneous group that is permanently on stage. Together with the moving installation “Ego” by artist Lonneke Gordijn (Studio DRIFT) they form a living organism and ever-changing stage image in dialogue with the fantastic music of Claudio Monteverdi.

The tight-fitting mesh costumes by designer Marlou Breuls form a line play with the projections and with the light design by Thomas Hase. The musical direction is in the hands of conductor Hernán Schvartzman (OPERA2DAY) and the opera is accompanied by baroque ensemble La Sfera Armoniosa.”

Monteverdi: L’Orfeo – Nederlandse Reisopera

“Tenor Boden vigorously expresses his human recklessness.” 
Theaterkrant, 26th January 2020

“Tenor Samuel Boden is an intimate, convincing Orfeo…★★★★” 
NRC.nl, 26th January 2020

“The demanding title role was excellently played by tenor Samuel Boden. Assisted by Ego, he managed to put his changing moods in the spotlight. Beautifully sung, well acted.”
Place de l’Opera, 27th January 2020

“The tenor Samuel Boden has a well-kept dictation and effortlessly sings the sometimes difficult twists that Monteverdi puts into his mouth. – Even when the choir lifts [him] up and carries [him] across the stage.” 
Cultureelpers Bureau, 27th January 2020

“Samuel Boden (Orfeo) makes a big impression” 
Trouw, 27th January 2020

“With his flexible tenor and athletic posture, Samuel Boden proved a perfect fit for the role of Orfeo, offering unfailingly stylish singing in the midst of the demanding choreographed moves. His honeyed timbre and the way he audibly relished the text made the plaintive lyricism of the role most moving…★★★★★” 
Bachtrack, 11th February 2020

★★★★ 
de Volkskrant, 27th January 2020

Samuel Boden as Orfeo: Reisopera, January 2020. Photo by Marco Borggreve

From ROH: ‘Written on Skin’ / ‘Lessons in Love and Violence’ – two operatic masterpieces, written by an award winning team

“Take home these two operatic masterpieces, written by an award winning team: George Benjamin (music and conductor), Martin Crimp (text), and Katie Mitchell (director).

Written on Skin – A ‘magic and irresistible’ opera, telling the story of a boy asked to create a book to celebrate the life of a powerful Protector.

Lessons in Love and Violence – Inspired by the life of Edward II and Piers Gaveston, this opera explores how personal relationships can have fatal political consequences.”

DVD and Blu-ray copies now available!