Opera Omnia presents their take on Claudio Monteverdi’s The Return of Ulysses, in English translation. Drawing from Homer’s Odyssey, Monteverdi's masterpiece brings to life the story of Ulysses’s return to Ithaca and reunion with his wife Penelope, who has remained faithful during his long absence. The cast features baritone Jesse Blumberg and mezzo-soprano Hai-Ting Chinn in the leading roles, with accompaniment by a period-instrument ensemble led by music director Avi Stein. Opera Omnia’s production, designed for the intimate setting of BAC’s Howard Gilman Performance Space with staging by Crystal Manich, brings a vibrant, contemporary aesthetic to this 17th century classic.

 

In 2008, Baryshnikov Arts Center provided a creative residency to Opera Omnia to develop the company’s inaugural production, The Coronation of Poppea (also by Monteverdi), which premiered at Le Poisson Rouge. Read the New York Times feature and view the audio slideshow of the company in residence at BAC.

 

Cast
Jesse Blumberg, Ulysses
Hai-Ting Chinn, Penelope
Tammy Coil, Minerva
Karim Sulayman, Eumete
Owen McIntosh, Telemachus
Joe Chappell, Neptune
Joseph Gaines, Iro
Nicholas Tamagna, Peisander
Richard Lippold, Antinous
Elaine Lachica, Love

 

Ensemble
Avi Stein, Harpsichord
Jeffrey Grossman, Organ

Grant Herreid and Charles Weaver, Theorbo and Baroque Guitar
Christa Patton, Baroque Harp
Ezra Seltzer, Cello