Ariodante, HWV 33

Composer: Handel, George Frideric

Librettist/Text Author: Salvi, Antonio

Conductor: Curtis, Alan

Orchestra: Complesso Barocco, Il

Ariodante: Hallenberg, Ann

Dalinda: Iorio, Marta Vandoni

Ginevra: Cherici, Laura

Lurcanio: Stains, Zachary

Odoardo: Prato, Vittorio

Polinessi: Nesi, Mary-Ellen

Re: Lepore, Carlo

Set Designer: Pascoe, John

Costume Designer: Pascoe, John

Lighting Designer: Hardy, Miranda

Stage Director: Pascoe, John

Television Director: Ricchetti, Matteo

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Festival: Spoleto Festival

Venue: Teatro Caio Melisso, Spoleto

Playing Time: 02:38:33

Catalogue Number: 33559

UPC: 8007144335595

Synopsis

Ariodante, HWV 33

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On 8th January 1735 at the Covent Garden in London, George Frideric Handel presented his new opera Ariodante on a libretto anonymously adapted by Antonio Salvi and inspired by Ariosto. Handel produced a refined musical setting of a somewhat audacious title which he treated in an equally unusual manner: he eliminated the traditional scenes of wonder or magic, worked on following the psychological development of the individual characters and focus on privileged expressivity rather than virtuosity for its own sake giving prominence.

The mutual love of Princess Ginevra and Prince Ariodante of Fife has the full approval of her father, the King of Scotland. But Duke Polinesso covets the throne. An opera about truth and appearance, set by director John Pascoe in the 1950's, in the glamorous days of the British monarchy.