“Idaspe” at Quantum Theatre (in collaboration with Chatham Baroque)

The Pittsburgh Tatler: In her note recounting the genesis of the partnership between Quantum Theatre and Chatham Baroque that resulted in the first staging of the Baroque opera Idaspe since 1730, Quantum artistic director Karla Boos explains that she originally set out to produce Vivaldi’s Bajazet after hearing Vivica Genaux’s recording of an aria supposedly from that opera called “Qual Guerriero in campo armato.” It turns out, however, that this aria was actually composed by Riccardo Broschi for his opera Idaspe, and was originally sung by Broschi’s brother, the celebrity castrato singer Farinelli; Vivaldi “borrowed” the aria for Bajazet.