Alcina - Opera - Season 21/22 Programming

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Alcina

Palais Garnier - from 25 November to 30 December 2021

Book

Alcina

Opera Georg Friedrich Haendel

Book

Palais Garnier - from 25 November to 30 December 2021

3h40 with 2 intervals

Language : Italian

Surtitle : French / English

Opening night : 25 Nov. 2021

About

In few words:

The history of opera has never ceased to be haunted by temptresses bewitching men. Alcina is no exception: she seduces her victims to the point where they forget their own homeland. Is it a risk of perverted love or the delights of unbridled passion? Beyond the supernatural, Handel’s stroke of genius was to portray Alcina as a woman who suffers: profoundly human and touching. The song of the vanquished sorceress awakens a strange compassion within us. Robert Carsen, whose production brought the work into the Paris Opera’s repertoire, plays with immensesubtlety on this ambiguity and the chiaroscuro subtlety on this ambiguity and the chiaroscuro of emotions and hidden desires.

Act I

The enchantress Alcina attracts men to her magic island where they are transformed into rocks, streams, trees and wild beasts. But for the first time she has fallen in love. Her new lover is called Ruggiero. Bradamante, Ruggiero’s fiancée, has disguised herself as her own brother Ricciardo in order to find her lost lover. She is travelling with Ruggiero’s former tutor, Melisso. They arrive at Alcina’s palace where they are met by Morgana, Alcina’s attendant, who immediately falls in love with “Ricciardo”. Alcina appears with Ruggiero, who is totally captivated by her and has lost all memory of Bradamante. Also on the island is Oberto, a young boy searching for his father. Hoping to dispose of his rival, Oronte maliciously tells Ruggiero that Alcina is herself in love with “Ricciardo”. Alcina denies this accusation but decides to transform “Ricciardo” in order to prove her love to Ruggiero. Morgana warns “Ricciardo” of this plan before openly declaring her love for him.

Act II

Melisso breaks Alcina’s spell over Ruggiero. As a result, Ruggiero remembers his love for Bradamante, but following Melisso’s instructions, pretends still to love Alcina. The enchantress is about to transform “Ricciardo”, but Morgana succeeds in protecting “him”. Oronte reveals to Alcina that Ruggiero has betrayed her and is planning to escape. Alcina is heartbroken. Ruggiero, reunited with Bradamante, bids farewell to the illusory beauty of Alcina’s magic world. In vain the Enchantress attempts to prevent the departure of Ruggiero. She despairs at the loss of her powers.

Act III

Morgana, having discovered the true identity of “Ricciardo”, attempts to win back Oronte, but he pretends indifference. Alcina confronts Ruggiero: she vows vengeance, but will forgive him if he returns to her. Together with Melisso and Bradamante, Ruggiero makes plans for their escape. Bradamante reflects on the reward of fidelity. Alcina longs to be delivered from her suffering. As Bradamante and Ruggiero are about to leave, Alcina begs her lover one last time to remain with her. He refuses. Alcina’s magic is destroyed and the transformed men are returned to their former selves…

CHARACTERS

Alcina: An enchantress in love with Ruggiero
Ruggiero: A knight betrothed to Bradamante
Bradamante: Ruggiero’s fiancée disguised as Ricciardo, her brother
Oronte: The leader of Alcina’s troops, betrothed to Morgana
Morgana: Alcina’s sister, betrothed to Oronte, in love with Bradamante
Melisso: Bradamante’s confidant

Opening
First part 55 mn
Intermission 20 mn
Second part 70 mn
Intermission 20 mn
Third part 55 mn
End

Is an opera libretto a literary work?

8 min

Discover

Alcina

Opera in three acts
After L’Arioste Orlando furioso

Music :

Georg Friedrich Haendel - (1685-1759)

Libretto :

Anonyme - (adapté de l’opéra de Riccardo Broschi L’Isola di Alcina)

Conductor :

Thomas Hengelbrock

Iñaki Encina Oyón - (26,28 décembre)

Director :

Robert Carsen

Revival director :

Christophe Gayral

Set design, Costume design :

Tobias Hoheisel

Lighting design :

Jean Kalman

Choreography :

Philippe Giraudeau

Dramaturgy :

Ian Burton

Chorus master :

Alessandro Di Stefano
Balthasar Neumann Ensemble
Choeurs de l’Opéra national de Paris
Alcina :

Jeanine De Bique

Ruggiero :

Gaëlle Arquez

Morgana :

Sabine Devieilhe

(25 Nov. > 17 Dec.)

Elsa Benoit

(19 > 30 Dec.)

Bradamante :

Roxana Constantinescu

Oronte :

Rupert Charlesworth

Melisso :

Nicolas Courjal

Performances

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