Opera in 3 acts
Librettist unknown, based on Antonio Fanzaglia & Ludovico Ariosto
World premiere April 16 1735, Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, London
Sung in Italian with German & English surtitles
PLEASE NOTE! There's strobe lighting immediately after thunder is heard in part I, and again, c 25 mins into part II
Introductory talks (in German) in the Holzfoyer 30 mins before curtain up and here, on video shortly after opening night, and everywhere where podcasts are to be found.
There's a chamber music concert at 11am on June 29 inspired by Alcina.
Background It’s said Alcina has magical powers: bored of her many lovers, she turned them all into flowers, rocks or animals. She recently bewitched Ruggiero, luring him to her island. Out of his mind with love he completely forgot his fiancée Bradamante, who’s set off to look for the missing man with her advisor, Melisso.
Part I When Bradamante and Melisso reach the island she assumes her brother Ricciardo’s identity. Alcina’s younger sister falls in love with »him«, making her lover Oronte very jealous. Ruggiero, who doesn’t recognise his fiancée, tells »Ricciardo« he’s fallen for Alcina. Oronte gets his own back: Telling Ruggiero he’ll suffer the same fate as all Alcina’s former lovers. She’ll transmogrify him, because she’s fallen for »Ricciardo«. Jealous Ruggiero accuses unsuspecting Alcina of being unfaithful. She, in turn, thinks he no longer loves her. Bradamante reveals her true identity to her fiancé, but Ruggiero doesn’t believe her. Alcina’s willing to turn »Ricciardo« into an animal, to mollify Ruggiero, so Morgana begs »him« to escape. Convinced Alcina’s bound to spare her sister’s lover, Bradamante pretends to reciprocate Morgana’s love. Melisso convinces Ruggiero that Alcina’s kingdom is only make-believe. Ruggiero should pretend to go hunting, and make his escape. Bradamante reasserts who she really is, but Ruggiero think it’s one of Alcina’s tricks. Alcina’s about to transform »Ricciardo« into an animal, when Ruggiero saves the day by declaring himself cured of his jealousy. Morgana insists that »Ricciardo« loves her, not Alcina. Ruggiero takes his leave before going hunting, with Alcina’s permission, assuring her (spuriously) of his love. Oronte says that Ruggiero, prompted by »Ricciardo« and Melisso, has fled. Abandoned Alcina decides to take revenge.
Part II No sooner have the fugitives Ruggiero and Bradamante been reconciled when Morgana bursts in, threatening them with Alcina’s revenge. Ruggiero takes his leave from Alcina’s world. At her wits’ end, Alcina calls on her demons for help, but they don’t obey her anymore. She’s forced to admit that her methods are dysfunctional. Her love for Ruggiero made her lose her magic powers and sovereignty. Let down Morgana tries to make it up with Oronte. He still loves her, but feigns indifference, at first … Alcina meets Ruggiero one last time. Memories of their shared happiness leave him as unmoved as her threats. He leaves. Alcina’s world falls apart.
They meet on an island where they become aware of the power of magic and the magic of power.
Handel gave the world a magic opera, and one of his best, in 1735 - about love, manipulation and real, or pretend, feelings on Alcina’s island. What makes his characters in this moving story so special? Their (erroneous) paths, obsessions, vows of love, highly emotional confusion or their vulnerability?
The heroine, an unhappy sorceress from Ludovico Ariosto’s Renaissance epic verse Orlando furioso, inspired many 17th & 18th composers. It’s said she possessed magic powers and turned people into animals, springs and rocks. Magic aside, she’s a charismatic woman who acquired political clout and aroused countless lovers’ passion, because she wanted to. But her magic evaporates when she falls in love with Ruggiero. He stumbles into Alcina’s realm and is seduced by her. He was in danger of meeting the same fate as his predecessors, and never leaving the island again, if it hadn't been for his intended wife Bradamante who (disguised as Riccardo) came to rescue him and destroy Alcina’s power. The dizzy-making carousel of love keeps turning: Alcina’s sister Morgana falls in love with »Riccardo«, making Oronte, her beloved, jealous. Chaos reaches its peak when Ruggiero thinks Bradamante (disguised as Riccardo) intends to abduct Alcina ...
At the end of this wonderful work, which shows Handel at the height of his psychological artistry, Alcina’s alone, in love and hurt. Her youth, power and magic have gone. She watches as Ruggiero’s rejection of her destroys the island and her realm crumbles. The others go their own way. Are they »saved«?
