Partenope (v1)

The combined magic of a little known Handel masterpiece with a rare connection between the production team, cast and conductor, had an astonishing effect on audiences. First staged at the Glimmerglass festival, it then went on to New York and Chicago, always with the same spirit. It is, of Francisco’s Handel production’s, the one that most deeply touches spectators. It has become a bit of a cult show even with audiences who usually favour Puccini and Verdi and in houses normally considered too big for this repertoire. It was also the beginning of what now feels like the Negrin / Bicket Handel troop of wonderful singer-actors and the catalist for the reentry of the piece into the repertoire of several companies.

• Glimmerglass · Cooperstown · July 1998
• NYC Opera · New York · September 1998
• Lyric Opera · Chicago · February 2003