A Medieval Masterpiece Revisited

For fans of music theatre, the new year brings with it one of The Boston Camerata’s emblematic works, Daniel: A Medieval Masterpiece Revisited (Daniel).

January 19, 2025 | 2 PM
Trinity Church Copley Square, Boston, MA

Artistic Director Anne Azéma discusses The Play of Daniel

2020 cast of ‘Daniel: A Medieval Masterpiece Revisited’ (Photo Credits: Dan Busler Photography)

For immediate release (Boston, MA) – The fiery prophecies of Daniel ring forth again! The musical
playDaniel was composed eight centuries ago in Beauvais, France. It is the greatest musical play from
the French Middle Ages and one of the first dramatic works in modern European history where the
story is told in song.

What is tyranny? What is freedom? We consider these questions as the prophetic Daniel confronts
the corrupt Belshazzar, as this heroic narrative of liberation resonates with many concerns of the
contemporary world. For one, the geography of the story (Babylon/Iraq, invaded by Persia/Iran) is
more present than ever in our daily consciousness; and second, because its essence is speaking truth
to power. As we enter a new era in our own history, we would be wise to heed its message.

Notably produced for the first time in the United States in the 1950s, Daniel made its way to The
Boston Camerata’s repertoire in the 80s under Joel Cohen’s direction, and was revived and premiered
under the title of Daniel: A Medieval Masterpiece Revisited by Anne Azéma in 2014.

Scenes from ‘Daniel’ & the opening of the Play of Daniel from the Egerton 2615, the only source with music.

Leading the second half of our 70th anniversary season programming, Azéma’s powerful staging of
Daniel reverberates once again at Trinity Church Copley Square on January 19, 2025. This
contemporary production involves lights, movement, urgent poetry, and a sterling cast of seasoned
professionals, children, and students of the Longy School of Music of Bard College.

Tickets start at $28 for General Admission ($10 for students) and can be purchased via our website.

Cast & Creative Team

Narrator: Anne Azéma

Belshazzar: Jazon McStoots

Magi: Michael Barrett, Ryan Lustgarten, William Farrell, Harry Otera-Rivera, Apollo Bardwell

Queen/Angel: Camila Parias

Daniel: Phillip Bullock

Darius: Joel Frederiksen

Envious Men: Michael Barrett, Ryan Lustgarten

Habakkuk: William Farrell

Nobles/Satraps/Court: Michael Barrett, Joel Frederiksen, Ryan Lustgarten, William Farrell, Apollo Bardwell, Harry Otera-Rivera, Kevin Lubin, Joey Timmons

with

Shira Kammen, vielle & harp
Karim Nagi, percussion
Soumaya MaRose, dancer

and

Music and Stage Direction: Anne Azéma
Lights and Media: Peter Torpey
Lights and Media Assistant: Martha Keslar

Choreographic Contributions: Karim Nagi and Soumaya MaRose
Music Edition: Anne Azéma with contributions by Joel Cohen
Interns: Kevin Lubin and Dasha Ovchinnikova

assisted by

Trinity Choristers
Colin Lynch, Director of Music

and

Students of the Longy School of Music: Li-Chen Huang, Qian Huang, Kevin Lubin, Dasha
Ovchinnikova, Katja Pennypacker, Harry Otero Rivera, Yisha Zao, Joey Timmons

For artistic questions, please reach out to Artistic Director, Anne Azéma: director@bostoncamerata.org

For press questions, please reach out to Public Relations, Dagny von Mering: communications@bostoncamerata.org

For other questions, please reach out to Administrator, Victoria Bocchicchio: admin@bostoncamerata.org

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