Pimpinone, Comic Opera

Vespetta’s life as a maid of all work is not inspiring, and she longs for a better life. As a bachelor, Pimpinone’s social and domestic life is chaotic, in spite of his wealthy status. Each sees the other as the means to advancement. Flagrant opportunism or calculated strategy? Honey trap or sting? Who will get the upper hand? (Note: Vespetta means ‘little wasp’)

Telemann’s Pimpinone (also titled The Unequal Marriage Between Vespetta and Pimpinone and The Domineering Chambermaid) is a comic intermezzo in three parts, which was written in 1725 for performance between acts of an opera by Handel. Telemann’s entertainment proved so popular that it was published three years later. Almost three hundred years after its first performance, Pimpinone remains a mainstay of opera houses all over the world, but it is rarely heard in New Zealand.

Presented by Dunedin-based The Little Box of Operas, our performance features Federico Freschi as Pimpinone and Caroline Burchell as Vespetta. We will be performing the work in English, accompanied by a string quartet.

Adults $40 (+ Eventfinda fee). Accompanied children free (no ticket necessary). Student door sales $20 (no eftpos).