Quantum Theatre, Chatham Baroque celebrate 3 decades with ‘Idaspe’
Share this post:
Sharing the same anniversary year is reason to celebrate together.
Pittsburgh’s Quantum Theatre and Chatham Baroque — both established in 1990 — are collaborating for “Idaspe” by Riccardo Broschi at the Byham Theater, Downtown from Oct. 7-15. The opera is directed by London composer and writer Claire van Kampen.
“The Byham Theater is a beautiful place for this work,” said Karla Boos, Quantum Theatre’s artistic director. “It has perfect acoustics for Chatham Baroque.”
[gps-image name=”4846880_web1_PTR-QuantumBaroque-Karla.jpg”]
Andrew Fouts, a violinist and Chatham Baroque artistic director, agreed. He and colleagues and artistic directors Patricia Halverson on the viola da gamba, and Scott Pauley on theorbo and Baroque guitar created a 400-page performance core to modernize the music.
The story follows two children who came to Naples as refugees. They are separated in an underworld where organized crime is more welcoming than “legitimate” business. The siblings become powerful bosses of opposing clans.
[gps-image name=”4846880_web1_PTR-QuantumBaroque-Vi-New.jpg”]
The titles roles are mezzo-soprano Vivica Genaux, who has performed all over the world and plays Dario; and John Holiday, countertenor from NBC’s “The Voice”, as Idaspe, friend of Dario. Supporting cast members include Grammy award-winning Lebanese-American tenor Karim Sulayman playing Artaserse and French Canadian soprano Pascale Beaudin as Berenice, Idaspe’s lover. Mezzo-soprano Amanda Lynn Bottoms plays Mandane, her fellow captive, in love with Dario. Singaporean countertenor Wei En Chan plays Ircano.
[gps-image name=”4846880_web1_PTR-QuantumBaroque-John.jpg.~tmp.jpg”]
This isn’t the first combined performance for the arts organizations. In 2015, they took the stage for Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale” for their 25th anniversary. They are getting the party started a little later than expected – covid-19 prevented performances in 2020 and 2021.
Halverson said this is a “tremendous opportunity to be part of a production with such wonderful artists.” The ensemble has toured across the world.
She said Van Kampen’s theater career with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1986, and then the Royal National Theatre in 1987 — where she was their first female musical director — is to be applauded. Boos is known for selecting innovative performances.
“Karla is brilliant,” Halverson said. “Claire van Kampen is brilliant. They have made this opera relevant for today’s audiences.”
There is no substitute for performing live, Pauley said, because performers “feed off the energy in the room and that creates a sense of community.”
Collaborating is wonderful because the total is greater than the sum of its parts, Fouts said.
“To be involved in the theater, we are part of something quite great,” Fouts said. “It’s a dream to collaborate with Quantum Theatre. The space hearkens to a Venetian opera house with a sense of grandeur.”
The show features dancers from the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, scenic design is by Narelle Sissons and lighting by Japhy Weideman, a Tony Award-winner for “Dear Evan Hansen” on Broadway. Costume design is by Susan Tsu.
Rehearsals are scheduled to begin Sept. 6. An Oct. 7 gala is planned.
Tickets go on sale May 22.