John Malkovich as “Jack Unterweger” seducing unsuspecting soprano Laura Aikin.

In May of 2008, Musica Angelica bravely commissioned and premiered a new concept in programming for its season finale—an intriguing melodrama for actor, two sopranos and Baroque orchestra starring John Malkovich. LA Times reviewer Mark Swed wrote of Musica Angelica’s production, “The skeleton of something meaningful is there, and I hope [they] take the next step.”

Indeed, the next step was developed by noted opera director Michael Sturminger into an international sensation. The Infernal Comedy has enjoyed more than 50 performances throughout Europe with Martin Haselböck conducting the orchestra Wiener Akademie.

This fall, The Infernal Comedy came to the Americas and it was Musica Angelica’s turn to tour the pseudo-opera that weaves its story between monologues and stunning opera arias and orchestral works. Twenty-eight musicians embarked on the orchestra’s third major international tour, performing 16 concerts in ten cities to sold-out audiences totaling over 23,000. The U.S. cities included Boston, Ann Arbor, Santa Barbara, Berkeley, and Austin. In South America, the group performed in Lima, Peru; Bogota, Columbia; and three cities in Brazil: Rio de Janiero, Salvador, and Sao Paulo.

Malkovich is brilliant in the role of Jack Unterweger, the Austrian serial killer-turned author-turned journalist-turned serial killer again, who murdered a number of prostitutes in Europe and Los Angeles. In the production, Malkovich recites a comic monologue about his character’s life, loves and dangerous liaisons as he is back from the dead to promote a book touting his memoirs.

“The roar of the Ann Arbor audience ovation was probably the most impressive at 3,200 strong,” said Managing Director Laura Spino. “As we eagerly headed to South America there was a discussion amongst the orchestra—would the audiences down there get it? Would they respond to this unique concept and story? We are happy to say that they loved it.”

The success of the recent tour has prompted many inquiries for future performances around the U.S. Additionally, the follow-up collaboration with John Malkovich, The Giacomo Variations, a chamber opera based on the life of famous philanderer Giacomo Casanova, is set to tour the U.S. next year. Musica Angelica is quickly becoming recognized as one of the top American Baroque orchestras and we look forward to continuing to proudly represent Los Angeles.