The Anonymous Lover

Music by Joseph Bologne,
Chevalier de Saint-Georges
Libretto by Desfontaines-Lavallée

A co-production with
Boston Lyric Opera and Opera Philadelphia.

The Huntington Theatre
Friday, February 16, 2024 | 7:30PM
Saturday, February 17, 2024 | 7:30PM
Sunday, February 18, 2024 | 3PM

Sung in French with English dialogue and surtitles
Running time: 90 minutes, no intermission

Orchestra parts for The Anonymous Lover are provided by arrangement with Opera Ritrovata in conjunction with the publishers and copyright owners, engravers and editors: George N. Gianopoulos, Stephen Karr, Leila Núñez-Fredell, and Mishkar Núñez-Fredell.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a comic love story for the ages! Written in 1780 by the virtuoso Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, the chamber opera The Anonymous Lover tells the story of Léontine, a wealthy young widow disenchanted with the notion of love, who starts receiving letters from an anonymous admirer. In this joyful new co-production by Boston Lyric Opera and Opera Philadelphia, Bologne’s stirring music is complemented by a fresh book adaptation from the pen of Obie Award-winning Boston playwright Kirsten Greenidge, mixing English dialogue with the original French singing. Don’t miss an evening of lighthearted mishaps, heartfelt melodies, and endearing characters that will inspire you to root for true love! 
 

The third of Bologne’s six operas, The Anonymous Lover was his most successful opera, and the only one that has survived to this day. The work holds a significant place in the annals of music history, standing as one of the first known operas composed by a Black artist. Learn more about the works and life of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges in our Dive Deeper links below!

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