George Frideric Handel
Alcina
The music is stirring and powerful...very real and touching Irish Times
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 discardes 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 delights the first time opera-goer and the passionate fan alike.
Tour Details
| Oct 16 & 17, 2009 | Navan | Solstice Arts Centre |
| Oct 20, 2009 | Derry | Waterside Theatre |
| Oct 22, 2009 | Carlow | GB Shaw Theatre |
| Oct 24, 2009 | Bray | Mermaid Arts Centre |
| Oct 27, 2009 | Armagh | Marketplace Theatre |
| Oct 29, 2009 | Tallaght | Civic Theatre |
| Nov 1, 2009 | Limerick | LIT Millennium Theatre |
| Nov 3, 2009 | Galway | Town Hall Theatre |
| Nov 5, 2009 | Dundalk | An Tain |
| Nov 7, 2009 | Cork | The Everyman |
| Jul, 2010 | Buxton | Buxton Festival |
"The gorgeous stream of arias flowed throughout from all six singers "
"The beauty of the music, the superb singing and playing, and the imaginative use of the set, all combined to keep me in my seat and become as entranced by it all as the countertenor, Ruggiero, is bewitched by the central character, Alcina. The singers, who were uniformly excellent, were affecting and splendidly supported by Christian Curnyn and his perfectly balanced orchestra. ... Quite magnificent "
"Annilese Miskimmon's thoughtful direction and impeccable casting ensures that we connect with the fluctuating relationships that are part of the human experience. Stephen Wallace’s Ruggiero was counter-tenor heaven .... spine tingling. The fluidity of the music, the well paced scenes, and the total realisation of each part combined to deliver a fantastic evening of entertainment. Tax-payers' and sponsors' money very well spent "
Production Information
| Music Director | Christian Curnyn |
| Director | Annilese Miskimmon |
| Design | Nicky Shaw |
| Lighting | Tina MacHugh |
| Alcina | Sinead Campbell-Wallace |
| Bradmante | Doreen Curran |
| Ruggiero | Stephen Wallace |
| Morgana | Jane Harrington |
| Melisso | Julian Hubbard |
| Oronte | Ed Lyon |
