Handel
Rodelinda
"This superior Rodelinda set a standard. One that the Metropolitan will be pressed to surpass in 2003-2004 when its production reaches the stage". New York Magazine
For the first time in Ireland OTC toured with an orchestra playing on the original instruments - the London Baroque Sinfonia. One of the greatest works of the eighteenth century, this production of Rodelinda toured to eight theatres with ten performances. Laurence Cummings conducted and James Conway directed, design was by Neil Irish and Lighting Design by Simon Corder. The cast featured Helen Williams, Jonathan Peter Kenny, Yvonne Howard, Nicholas Sears and Charles Johnston.
Rodelinda is a celebration of love and fidelity in marriage, against all odds. The opera also has a special resonances of OTC as it tells the story of the parents of young Flavio - whose later exploits were dramatised in the company's vibrant production of Flavio in 1994/5 and which was described by The Observer as "the best Handel opera performance in living memory"
7 Venue nationwide tour with 9 performances
| Fri 30 April 1999 | Cork | Everyman Palace Theatre |
| Sat 1 May 1999 | Cork | Everyman Palace Theatre |
| Thur 6 May 1999 | Galway | Town Hall Theatre |
| Sat 8 May 1999 | Sligo | Hawk's Well Theatre |
| Mon 10 May 1999 | Mullingar | Mullingar Arts Centre |
| Thurs 13 May 1999 | Dublin | RDS |
| Fri 14 May 1999 | Dublin | RDS |
| Sun 16 May 1999 | Wexford | Wexford Theatre Royal |
| Fri 21 May 1999 | Coleraine | Riverside Theatre |
"Quite simply the recent OTC's production of Handel's Rodelinda, was the best presentation of anything by Handel that I have experienced in 40 years of music and opera."
"I have tried to make a point of catching Opera Theatre Company's work whenever possible, and have been rewarded with two of the best stagings of operas by Handel that I have seen anywhere in the world."
"The director, James Conway, drew dramatically confident performances from his cast... the countertenor Jonathan Peter Kenny captures the torment of the character... his tone is sweet and well focused"
Production Information
Cast |
|
| Rodelinda, Queen of Bertarido | Helen Williams |
| Bertarido, Exiled King, presumed dead | Jonathan Peter Kenny |
| Edwige, Sirster of Bertarido | Yvonne Howard |
| Grimoaldo, Duke, claimant to the kingdom, betrothed to Edwidge | Nicholas Seers |
| Garibaldo, Rebel duke, ally of Grimoaldo | Charles Johnston |
| Flavio, son of Rodelinda and Bertarido | Nicholas Armstrong, Simon Gobbins, Sean Thermos, Paul Cahill, Jonathan Beales, |
| Darragh Joyce, Gearoid MacTiarnain, Alex Griffin | |
Creative Team |
|
| Conductor | Laurence Cummings |
| Director | James Conway |
| Designer | Neil Irish |
| Lighting Designer | Simon Corder |
