Presented by Ensemble for the Romantic Century False arrest. Intrigue. Conspiracy. Undying love. Jewish artillery officer Captain Alfred Dreyfus was wrongfully convicted of treason and sentenced to solitary confinement on Devil’s Island in 1894. In the aftermath, France was torn apart in a seismic political clash between progressive Dreyfusards and right-wing anti-Dreyfusards that pitted friends against friends and neighbors against neighbors. The Dreyfus Affair tells a story of political passions, political will, and unswerving loyalty that resonates to this very day. 

The Dreyfus Affair is a continuation of Ensemble for the Romantic Century’s trilogy of historic music dramas beginning with 2015’s Jules Verne: From the Earth to the Moon and 2016’s Akhmatova: The Heart is not made of Stone (2016), both of which were New York Times’ Critics’ Picks.

Through live chamber music, The Dreyfus Affair captures the human and sociopolitical drama of this turbulent period. Musicians include Grace Park (violin), Daniel Cho (violin), Chieh-Fan Yiu (viola), Nico Olarte-Hayes (cello), Jake Chabot (flute & piccolo), Parker Ramsey (organ And harpsichord), and Max Barros (piano). 

The production will also have sets and costumes by Vanessa James, lighting design by Beverly Emmons, and projection design by David Bengali. Casting is by Stephanie Klapper Casting.