Programme:
John Frederick Lampe: »The Dragon of Wantley« (semi-staged)
The Boston Early Music Festival, North America’s leading Early Music institution, has rescued another baroque opera from oblivion: »The Dragon of Wantley«. The story revolves around lord of the manor Moore of Moore Hall, who is tasked with defending the town of Wantley from a fearsome dragon. The composer, probably born in Braunschweig in 1703 as Johann Friedrich Lampe, came to England in 1724 as a bassoonist, where he quickly made a name for himself in the theatre world. »The Dragon of Wantley«, which premiered at the Haymarket Theatre in 1737, is a satirical work that parodies the excesses and pompous conventions of the popular London Handel operas of the time with razor-sharp wit. Its great success marked the end of Handel’s career as an opera composer and the hilarious entertainment became the most popular opera production of 18th century England with a 45-year run. In Gilbert Blin’s production, five costumed singers, two dancers and the BEMF chamber ensemble breathe new life into the burlesque farce with a great sense of humour and comic timing – Monty Python meets Handel!
Teresa Wakim Margery
Hannah De Priest Mauxalinda
Aaron Sheehan Moore
Douglas Ray Williams Gubbins
John Taylor Ward Dragon
BEMF Chamber Ensemble
BEMF Dance Company
Gilbert Blin stage director
Stephen Stubbs and Paul O’Dette theorbo, baroque guitar and musical direction
Presented by NWZ
Departure Domsheide: 6 pm
Start of concert: 7:30 pm
Departure venue: ca 10 pm
Arrival Domsheide: ca 11 pm
Ticket price: € 18
Bus tickets can only be purchased at the Glocke box office (Tel. +49 (0) 421 / 33 66 99, Mon-Fri 12 noon-6 pm, Sat 11 am-2 pm) or in the Musikfest Webshop.
