Portland Baroque Orchestra: Dinner with Handel

• Daniel Moody, countertenor
• Kenneth Overton, baritone
• Aaron Sheehan, tenor
• Arwen Myers, soprano
• Abigail Levis, mezzo-soprano
• Julian Perkins, harpsichord & conductor

The North American premiere of a newly-devised opera pasticcio by Stephen Pettitt (librettist) and Julian Perkins (musical arrangements and recitatives).

A reimagined delicacy that dares to ask, "what would dinner with Handel really be like?" Set in Handel's London home, this chamber opera revolves around an uncomfortably intimate surprise dinner party thrown by Handel's cook, the singer Gustavus Waltz. We imagine conversations and confrontations between Handel, rival composer Johann Christoph Pepusch, spurned diva Francesca Cuzzoni, and Handel's dearest friend, Mary Pendarves. Music by Handel, Vivaldi, Purcell, Arne, and Pepusch is sensitively and wittily re-texted (in English) by esteemed journalist Stephen Pettitt, with recitatives newly composed by Julian Perkins. Fast-moving, funny, and touching, this 90-minute romp explores Handel's complex personality through carefully researched and often telling references to real events. Join us for an operatic feast that serves selections of both Handel the genius, and the fallible human being, in an unusual and fascinating light. 

Don't forget to join us one hour before the performance for a pre-concert talk about the program. Learn more here: https://pbo.org/discover/pre-concert-talks

2 performances:
- Saturday, February 10, 7:30pm at First Baptist Church of Portland
- Sunday, February 11, 3pm at Reed College's Kaul Auditorium

About Portland Baroque Orchestra

http://pbo.org

About Daniel Moody, countertenor

https://www.danielmoodycountertenor.com/

About Kenneth Overton, baritone

https://www.kennethoverton.com/

About Aaron Sheehan, tenor

https://www.aaronsheehantenor.com/

About Arwen Myers, soprano

Praised for her "crystalline tone and delicate passagework" (San Francisco Chronicle), soprano Arwen Myers captivates audiences with her timeless artistry and exquisite interpretations. Transmitting a warmth and "deep poignancy" (Palm Beach Arts Paper) onstage, Arwen shines in solo performance across the US and beyond. With outstanding technique and mastery of a wide range of vocal colors, Arwen's dazzling oratorio and solo appearances feature repertoire from the baroque to modern day, and everything in between. Her history includes appearances with Portland Baroque Orchestra, Early Music Vancouver, Pacific MusicWorks, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, working with such notable conductors as Nicholas McGegan, Monica Huggett, David Fallis, John Butt, David Hill, Scott Allen Jarrett, Erick Lichte, and Matthew Dirst.

About Abigail Levis, mezzo-soprano

https://www.abilevis.com/

About Julian Perkins, harpsichord & conductor

http://julianperkins.com