Description
If Handel were alive today, he would be termed resilient. In 1734‑1735, when the public had cooled towards him and his contract with the King’s Theatre drew to a close, the composer began to write Ariodante, an “opera seria” intended for the opening of the brand new Theatre Royal in Covent Garden.
As if galvanised by adversity, he produced a radiant work, as virtuoso as the libretto, drawn from an episode of Arioste’s Orlando Furioso, is simple: Ginevra, a Scottish princess, is in love with Ariodante to whom she is betrothed, but a conspiracy led by the traitor Polinesso results in her being accused of infidelity.
As well as giving us Handel’s most beautiful lament, this inspired score abounds throughout in virtuoso arias and breathes theatrical intelligence. Enough to inspire Robert Carsen who, in the wake of his legendary Paris Opera production of Alcina, composed the same year, signs a new production of Ariodante.
The English Concert
Chœurs de l’Opéra national de ParisCoproduction with the Metropolitan Opera, New-York
With the support of the Orange Foundation, sponsor of the Paris Opera's audiovisual broadcasts.© Opéra national de Paris - 2023
Picture: © plainpicture / Narratives / Brent Darby
Description
- The King of Scotland: Ginevra’s father
- Ginevra: Daughter of the King of Scotland, betrothed to Ariodante
- Ariodante: Feudal Prince, Ginevra’s fiancé
- Lurcanio: Ariodante’s brother, in love with Dalinda
- Polinesso: Duke of Albany
- Dalinda: Ginevra’s lady-in-waiting, secretly in love with Polinesso
- Odoardo: King’s secretary
Description
Act 1
00:00:01
Act 2
01:05:28
Act 3
02:14:29
Creatives
Music Conductor Chorus master Director Set and lighting design Lighting design Set design and Costume design Choreography
Cast
Extras
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