Venus & Adonis

The groundbreaking, erotic myth of Venus and Adonis centers on the intricacies of the relationship between a sexually empowered goddess and her younger consort.

In the heart of this love story, themes of power play, manipulation and yearning are explored and exploited. Venus’s reluctance to surrender, coupled with Adonis’s innocence, leads to both a tragic accident and poignant transcendence.

John Blow’s reinterpretation of the myth features sensual English baroque music and scenes of love, desire and playful pageantry of cupids. Controversially categorized by some scholars as first English baroque opera, this piece inspired such legendary later works as Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas.

The production is set in the court of Charles ll where the aristocrats take on the epic roles, thus reenacting the story within a story. The voyeuristic aspect highlights the mortal interest in the movements of the gods. Featuring extravagant costumes of the Restoration era by Deborah Wright Houston and stage direction and choreography by Marie Zvosec, the production will showcase the talented emerging artists of BMS.