BALAM performers, Carlos Fittante and Olsi Gjeci, graced the stage of the Boston Early Music Festival’s production of the 17th century opera “Niobe-Queen of Thebes” in June. Baroque dance specialists, Fittante and Caroline Copeland (seen here), co-choreographed theatrical dances and performed in this three-act opera by Agostino Steffani. Gjeci made his Baroque dance debut in this production performing a gavotte, rigaudon and gigue, as a spear-yielding hunter and also dancing a march, passepied and chaconne, as an enchanted Romanesque warrior. (Photo:André Costantini)
Critics’ Corner
Fittante's and Copeland’s Baroque Choreography Received Rave Reviews.
-Opera Today
“Caroline Copeland and Carlos Fittante, who designed pastorals, hunts, revels and flirtations to make the point that, at the French-influenced Munich court of Elector Max Emmanuel, dance interludes between stretches of singing were an important part of an evening’s musical entertainment.”
-Boston Musical Intelligencer
“… [a] commendable job of re-creating both music and choreography…”
-Boston.com
“…elegant choreography…”
-Classical Review
“…completely charming.”
-New York Times
“…choreography is steeped in the niceties of Baroque style”