![]() ![]() Here we were in the realm of the imagination. Mari Askvik as Bradamante and Máire Flavin as Alcina (c) James Glossop A production of Alcina set in an oligarch’s luxury villa would, in many ways, work dramaturgically, though sometimes I do long for a production with the theatrical dazzle of the 18 th century and an ending completely true to the libretto. Instead, this magic enables Alcina to live a life of isolated contentment, indulging herself as she pleases. ![]() Like most modern directors, Tim Albery was uninterested in Alcina’s magic for its own sake, there was none of the vivid theatrical display beloved by Handel’s contemporaries. ![]() Laurence Cummings conducted, designs were by Hannah Clark, lighting by Matthew Richardson and video by Ian William Galloway. Tim Albery’s new production of Handel’s Alcina for Opera North opened at the Grand Theatre, Leeds on Saturday 5 February 2022 with Mark Askvik as Bradamante, Claire Pascoe as Melissa, Fflur Wyn as Morgana, Maire Flavin as Alcina, Patrick Terry as Ruggiero and Nick Pritchard as Oronte. Sorcery, enchantment gave female characters agency so Handel’s enchantresses are always interesting and usually transgressive, ‘bad girls’ if you will.Īlcina is one of Handel’s last enchantresses, and since the Handel opera revival of the early 20 th century she has been on regular display. It wasn’t the power per se that seems to have interested him but the ability it conferred for the character to be whatever she wanted to be. Handel was rather fond of enchantresses they pop up in his operas both early and late.
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