BONJ Brings Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart to Life in a Thrilling Chamber Opera

BONJ Brings Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart to Life in a Thrilling Chamber Opera

As autumn leaves fall and spooky season reaches its peak, The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey (BONJ) is preparing to deliver an afternoon of intense, haunting drama. Under the guidance of Maestro Robert W. Butts, who crafted both the music and libretto, BONJ presents a captivating chamber opera adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s classic story of suspense and insanity, The Tell-Tale Heart.

A Masterclass in Gothic Horror and Music

Edgar Allan Poe’s legendary tale of obsession, guilt, and the relentless thumping under the floorboards has thrilled readers for generations. In this specialized chamber opera adaptation, Maestro Butts transforms Poe’s psychological thriller into an immersive musical experience. By blending evocative, atmospheric instrumental writing with tense vocal drama, the performance pulls audiences straight into the unraveling mind of the narrator.

From quiet, sinister undertones to heart-pounding musical climaxes, the production showcases the unique flexibility of BONJ. It offers a perfect bridge between classical elegance and spine-chilling Halloween theater—an essential event for lovers of orchestral music, opera, and classic horror literature.

Event Details

  • Production: The Tell-Tale Heart (Chamber Opera Adaptation)

  • Music & Libretto: Maestro Robert W. Butts (adapted from Edgar Allan Poe)

  • Ensemble: The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey

  • Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026

  • Time: 2:00 PM

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