Handel: Alcina

Opera in staged version

Cast

Presentation

Homepage Handel: Alcina

Cast

Karina Gauvin Alcina

Mirella Hagen Morgana

Kangmin Justin Kim Ruggiero

Václava Krejčí Housková (Monika Jägerová on 11) Bradamante

Krystian Adam Oronte

Andrea Široká Oberto

Tomáš Král Melisso

Ladislav Mikeš The Magician

Dancers

Collegium 1704

Collegium Vocale 1704

Václav Luks Conductor

Jiří Heřman Director

Dragan Stojčevski Set Design

Alexandra Grusková Costumes

Daniel Tesař Lighting

Jan Kodet Choreography

Patricie Částková Assistant Director

Kateřina Nováčková Assistant Choreography

Presentation

London, 1735: Handel is at the peak of his fame, but his Royal Academy of Music is a colossus with feet of clay, as the competition from the Nobility’s Opera is fierce. Thus, he must present a new masterpiece centered around a charismatic character. In 1733, Handel triumphed with Orlando, based on Ariosto’s epic poem; for this new work, he draws from the same vein, taking the libretto of L’Isola d’Alcina, the first opera seria by Riccardo Broschi (brother of Farinelli), which premiered in Rome in 1728.

The heroine is the magician Alcina, whose enchanted island allows for exotic and spectacular scenes, interspersed with dreamlike or truly “furious” moments, as well as passionate outpourings in which Handel excels. The title role is played by Anna Maria Strada del Pò, portraying the sorceress who enchants the knight Ruggiero, performed by the castrato Carestini. The success of the work was overwhelming, thanks to a brilliant collection of high-flying arias: Handel is at his best with this contrasting libretto, displaying virtuosity and melodic invention, crafting powerful characters with a nearly mythical grandeur.

For this new production, it is Karina Gauvin, a true icon of the role of Alcina, who leads a brilliant cast under the baton of Václav Luks, a true Handelian at heart, guiding them through Europe in an expressive and rich staging that brings to life the enchantments of the Palace of this love-struck Magician.

This new production is made possible thanks to the generous support of Madame Aline Foriel-Destezet.

Co-production: Opéra Royal / Château de Versailles Spectacles, Théâtre national de Brno, Théâtre de Caen, Collegium 1704 – Prague baroque orchestra

With the support of Gesamtkunstwerk and Bohemian Heritage Fund

With the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic

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Programme

Dramma per musica in three acts with an anonymous libretto based on Alcina delusa da Ruggiero by Antonio Marchi, inspired by Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto, premiered in London in 1735.

New production