about Der geduldige Socrates (Patient Socrates)

In 1721 Telemann wrote his opera buffa for Hamburg's Gänsemarkt theatre, where it was a great success and received repeat performances for the next nine years.  The requirement of Athenian law for a man to take two wives sets up the situations:  Socrates as a henpecked husband, and the rivalry among two princesses for the love of an Athenian prince, while they both spurn another prince who would happily be with either of the women.  The resultant communal anxiety causes threats of suicide until a solution can be found.  The score alternates between a buffo style and the high style of opera seria, with excellent arias as well as an unusual number of quality ensembles.

 

Socrates, baritone

Rodisette, an Athenian princess (soprano)

Edronica, another Athenian princess (soprano)

Xantippe, Socrates' wife (soprano)

Amitta, Socrates' other wife (soprano)

Melito, an Athenian prince (tenor)

Antippo, another Athenian prince (alto)

Nicia, father of Melito (bass)

Aristophanes, Socrates' rival (tenor or possibly soprano)

Alcibiades, Socrates' disciple (tenor)

Xenophon, Socrates' disciple (tenor)

Plato, Socrates' disciple (bass)

Pitho, Socrates' servant and disciple (tenor, high mezzo or low soprano)

Cupid (soprano, male or female)

Applicants are encouraged to submit audition materials digitally. Address your e-mail auditions@amherstearlymusic.org, with subject line following the format "Baroque Academy - Your Name, Instrument/Voice", and attach your résumé, head shot (for singers), and 10-15 minutes of music demonstrating your technical ability, musical expression, and understanding of performance practice. Please include an Italian selection. Recordings should be submitted as MP3s (MP4s); if you would like to send examples in another format, e-mail info@amherstearlymusic.org to discuss. Résumés are accepted in PDF or .doc formats. Singers should also list a physical description: hair color, eye color, height, weight. Photographs (for singers) are accepted in any standard format. If you need to send more than one email due to large file sizes, please label them "1 of x", "2 of x", etc.

If you are unable to send materials online, you may mail a CD, photo (singers), and résumé to Amherst Early Music, P.O. Box 229, Arlington, MA 02476.

 

Scholarships

violin concertmaster
voice, recorder, double reeds
a qualified pre-formed ensemble
To apply, include a cover letter with your audition packet that details your experience and goals in the field of early music. Early Music America also provides scholarships.  See earlymusic.org for requirements.

 

Work-Study

Tuition assistance available. Application will be posted on our website.
 

Contact

Marilyn Boenau, Executive Director
Alastair Thompson, Administrator
info@amherstearlymusic.org
(781) 488-3337

Study with some of the best performers and teachers in the field today and make connections with other enthusiastic students of historical performance.  Past Baroque Academy students have gone on to form ensembles and establish careers across the globe.  Join us!

“I was absolutely thrilled with the other members of my ensemble.  We will keep in touch and I hope to play with them again.”
“Most fun I’ve had all year! How can I do this all the time?”
   - AEM Baroque Academy Students

 

Auditions due April 15 (information will be posted shortly, e-mail your contact information and your instrument or voice range to info@amherstearlymusic.org to be notified)

One week of advanced classes and coachings in baroque music from the German-speaking lands. Masterclasses, chamber music, baroque orchestra, fully staged baroque opera.