Emma Birski / OnP

Opera

Alcina

Georg Friedrich Haendel

Palais Garnier

from 25 November to 30 December 2021

3h40 with 2 intervals

Alcina

Palais Garnier - from 25 November to 30 December 2021

Synopsis

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.

Duration : 3h40 with 2 intervals

Language : Italian

Surtitle : French / English

  • Opening

  • First part 55 min

  • Intermission 20 min

  • Second part 70 min

  • Intermission 20 min

  • Third part 55 min

  • End

Show acts and characters

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

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…

Artists

Opera in three acts

After L’Arioste Orlando furioso

Creative team

Cast

Balthasar Neumann Ensemble
Choeurs de l’Opéra national de Paris

Media

  • Imaginarie Alcina

    Imaginarie Alcina

    Watch the video

  • Draw-me Alcina

    Draw-me Alcina

    Watch the video

  • Alcina, the enchantress

    Alcina, the enchantress

    Watch the video

Imaginarie Alcina

Watch the video

A repertoire work narrated in a visual poem born of popular culture

1:20 min

Imaginarie Alcina

By Marc de Pierrefeu

Alcina by Georg Friedrich Haendel at the Palais Garnier from 25 November to 30 December 2021

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.  

Playlist
Draw-me Alcina

Watch the video

Understand the plot in 1 minute

1:33 min

Draw-me Alcina

By Octave

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.

© Sébastien Mathé / OnP

Alcina, the enchantress

Watch the video

Interview with the soprano Jeanine de Bique

5:20 min

Alcina, the enchantress

By Aliénor Courtin, Coline Delreux

For her Paris Opera debut, Jeanine de Bique sings the character of Alcina in Handel's opera of the same name, directed by Robert Carsen. The soprano discusses the complex feelings and emotions that run through the female characters and which reinforce the work's relevance today. The role of the enchantress Alcina is a great source of inspiration for Jeanine de Bique, who underlines the score's dissonances and harmonic abundance.    
  • [TRAILER] ALCINA by Georg Friedrich Haendel
  • [EXTRAIT] ALCINA by Haendel "Tornami a vagheggiar" (Sabine Devieilhe)
  • [EXTRAIT] ALCINA by Haendel "Pensa a chi geme d'amor piagata" (Nicolas Courjal)
  • [EXTRAIT] ALCINA by Haendel "Mio bel tesoro" (Gaëlle Arquez)
  • [EXTRAIT] ALCINA by Haendel "Mi restano le lagrime" (Jeanine de Bique)
  • Alcina - 1
    Alcina (saison 21/22) © Sébastien Mathé / OnP
  • Alcina - 2
    Alcina (saison 21/22) © Sébastien Mathé / OnP
  • Alcina - 3
    Alcina (saison 21/22) © Sébastien Mathé / OnP
  • Alcina - 4
    Alcina (saison 21/22) © Sébastien Mathé / OnP
  • Alcina - 5
    Alcina (saison 21/22) © Sébastien Mathé / OnP
  • Alcina - 6
    Alcina (saison 21/22) © Sébastien Mathé / OnP
  • Alcina - 7
    Alcina (saison 21/22) © Sébastien Mathé / OnP
  • Alcina - 8
    Alcina (saison 21/22) © Sébastien Mathé / OnP
  • Alcina - 9
    Alcina (saison 21/22) © Sébastien Mathé / OnP
  • Alcina - 10
    Alcina (saison 21/22) © Sébastien Mathé / OnP
  • Alcina - 11
    Alcina (saison 21/22) © Sébastien Mathé / OnP
  • Alcina - 1
    Alcina (saison 21/22) © Sébastien Mathé / OnP
  • Alcina - 2
    Alcina (saison 21/22) © Sébastien Mathé / OnP
  • Alcina - 3
    Alcina (saison 21/22) © Sébastien Mathé / OnP
  • Alcina - 4
    Alcina (saison 21/22) © Sébastien Mathé / OnP
  • Alcina - 5
    Alcina (saison 21/22) © Sébastien Mathé / OnP
  • Alcina - 6
    Alcina (saison 21/22) © Sébastien Mathé / OnP
  • Alcina - 7
    Alcina (saison 21/22) © Sébastien Mathé / OnP
  • Alcina - 8
    Alcina (saison 21/22) © Sébastien Mathé / OnP

  • Alcina (saison 21/22) - Acte III (Rupert Charlesworth)

  • Alcina (saison 21/22) - Acte II (Gaëlle Arquez)

  • Alcina (saison 21/22) - Acte II (Nicolas Courjal)

  • Alcina (saison 21/22) - Acte I (Rupert Charlesworth)

  • Alcina (saison 21/22) - Acte II (Gaëlle Arquez)

Access and services

Palais Garnier

Place de l'Opéra

75009 Paris

Public transport

Underground Opéra (lignes 3, 7 et 8), Chaussée d’Antin (lignes 7 et 9), Madeleine (lignes 8 et 14), Auber (RER A)

Bus 20, 21, 27, 29, 32, 45, 52, 66, 68, 95, N15, N16

Calculate my route
Car park

Q-Park Edouard VII16 16, rue Bruno Coquatrix 75009 Paris

Book your parking spot

At the Palais Garnier, buy €10 tickets for seats in the 6th category (very limited visibility, two tickets maximum per person) on the day of the performance at the Box offices.

In both our venues, discounted tickets are sold at the box offices from 30 minutes before the show:

  • €35 tickets for under-28s, unemployed people (with documentary proof less than 3 months old) and senior citizens over 65 with non-taxable income (proof of tax exemption for the current year required)
  • €70 tickets for senior citizens over 65

Get samples of the operas and ballets at the Paris Opera gift shops: programmes, books, recordings, and also stationery, jewellery, shirts, homeware and honey from Paris Opera.

Palais Garnier
  • Every day from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and until performances end
  • Get in from Place de l’Opéra or from within the theatre’s public areas
  • For more information: +33 1 53 43 03 97
Online

Palais Garnier

Place de l'Opéra

75009 Paris

Public transport

Underground Opéra (lignes 3, 7 et 8), Chaussée d’Antin (lignes 7 et 9), Madeleine (lignes 8 et 14), Auber (RER A)

Bus 20, 21, 27, 29, 32, 45, 52, 66, 68, 95, N15, N16

Calculate my route
Car park

Q-Park Edouard VII16 16, rue Bruno Coquatrix 75009 Paris

Book your parking spot

At the Palais Garnier, buy €10 tickets for seats in the 6th category (very limited visibility, two tickets maximum per person) on the day of the performance at the Box offices.

In both our venues, discounted tickets are sold at the box offices from 30 minutes before the show:

  • €35 tickets for under-28s, unemployed people (with documentary proof less than 3 months old) and senior citizens over 65 with non-taxable income (proof of tax exemption for the current year required)
  • €70 tickets for senior citizens over 65

Get samples of the operas and ballets at the Paris Opera gift shops: programmes, books, recordings, and also stationery, jewellery, shirts, homeware and honey from Paris Opera.

Palais Garnier
  • Every day from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and until performances end
  • Get in from Place de l’Opéra or from within the theatre’s public areas
  • For more information: +33 1 53 43 03 97
Online

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Place de l’Opéra
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