Francisco’s second production of this brilliantly visual piece, composed by Handel to show off scenic effects and delight audiences with vocal virtuosity and successful arias. The production is based on the earlier New York City Opera production and pushes it further into the realm of a Baroque musical spectacular.
This Chicago premiere of the piece has been a chance for Francisco to reunite with David Daniels and Harry Bicket, with whom he formed his Handel style and explored many of the composer’s pieces in previous productions, including the earlier one of Rinaldo. A never before heard aria from the score’s appendices was added at the start of act 3 providing a better exploration of Almirena’s character and giving more depth to the act.
- Lyric Opera· Chicago· February 2012
Creative Team
Sets | Louis Desiré |
Costumes | Louis Desiré |
Lighting | Bruno Poet |
Choreography | Ana Yepes |
Conductor | Harry Bicket |
Cast
David Daniels, Sonia Prina, Iestyn Davies, Julia Kleiter , Elza Van den Heever and Luca Pisaroni, Ryan Belongie, Jim Kryshak, Kiri Deonarine, Cecilia Hall, Jennifer Jakob