Sinéad Campbell, Stephen Wallace, Doreen Curran in their roles as the love triangle of Alcina, Ruggiero and Bradamante

Touring October - November

Set in a timeless world full of passion and plots — where reality blurs with fantasy — the enigmatic Alcina reigns. Intrigue surrounds this ruthless beauty who spends her time seducing lovers then — once bored — swiftly discarding them. However, when the handsome Ruggiero is bewitched by Alcina’s charms, his fiancée Bradamante enlists the help of her friend Melisso and — disguised as a man — sets out to rescue her beloved.

Deceit, sensuality and seduction pervade Handel’s glorious music with exquisite arias (sung in English) that lament love unrequited and faith betrayed. Considered by some Handel’s last great opera, ALCINA will delight the first time opera-goer and the passionate fan alike.

The final instalment of Opera Theatre Company’s Handel Trilogy 2009 —commemorating the 250th anniversary of the great composer’s death — ALCINA is directed by Annilese Miskimmon with design by Nicky Shaw and lighting by Tina MacHugh. The Opera Theatre Company Ensemble performs this ravishing score under its Music Director Christian Curnyn.

Our cast includes Irish soprano and mezzo-soprano Sinead Campbell-Wallace (Alcina) and Doreen Curran (Bradmante) with Stephen Wallace (Ruggiero) Jane Harrington (Morgana) Julian Hubbard (Melisso) and  Ed Lyon (Oronte).

Opera Theatre Company is proud to revive our critically acclaimed 2007 production of Orlando, continuing our commemoration of Handel’s anniversary as well as representing Irish opera at The Buxton Festival. Pictured above is William Towers, who will reprise the title role. The creative team remains the same with Christian Curnyn conducting, Annilese Miskimmon directing, design by Simon Holdsworth and lighting design by Tina MacHugh.

"Towers, Curnyn and the orchestral soloists all reached their peak at the same time as did Handel, for the extraordinary derangement of the mad scene in Act III, which inspired the composer to some of his most highly-charged music" - Michael Dervan, THE IRISH TIMES "William Towers sings the title role with authority and refinement" - Pat O'Kelly, THE IRISH INDEPENDENT