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GEORG FRIEDRICH HÄNDEL [1685 † 1759]

'Alcina' (HWV 34) Opera/Ballet per Musica in 3 acts, 1735
Librettist: Riccardo Broschi (1698 †1756)
[The Opera’s Libretto is derived from Cantos VI-VII of Lodovico Ariosto's (1474 †1533) Epic Poem 'Orlando furioso' (1516)]
Premiere: Covent Garden Theatre, 1735 in London

['Alcina was heavily influenced by French trends at the time. It shows Handel's knowledge of Rameau, his ability to write a Ballet spectacle and make use of the chorus in the French manner, to hold large scenes together and integrate it into the drama. The second scene of the first act sets the stage for the drama with typically French glitter, as the pleasure's of Alcina's enchanted court are displayed in a spectacle of dance and chorus. The finale is also a ballet, as Alcina's spells are broken and her former lovers regain their human forms.']

PERFORMERS:
Vocals:
Alcina: Sorceress, Inga Kalna (soprano)
Ruggiero: a Knight, Vivica Genaux (mezzo-soprano)
Morgana: Alcina's sister, Anna Devin (soprano)
Bradamante: Ruggiero's betrothed, disguised as her own brother, the knight Ricciardo, Patricia Bardon (mezzo- soprano)
Oronte: Lover of Morgana, Benjamin Hulett (tenor)
Melisso: Former tutor of Ruggiero, Oleg Tsybulko (bass)
Oberto: a Boy searching for his father, Alina Yarovaya (soprano)

State Chamber Orchestra of Russia
Intrada : Vocal Ensemble
Direction: Federico Maria Sardelli

ATTO SECONDO

~Scena 1
00:02, Aria: Col celarvi, a chi v'ama un momento/ Ruggiero
01:14, Recitativo: Taci, taci, co dardo, remira il mio sembiante/ Melisso/ Ruggiero
02:09, Aria: Qual portento mi richiama /Ruggiero
03:36, Recitativo: Ah Bradamante! A te appunto mi manda/ Ruggiero/ Melisso
04:16, Aria: Pensa a chi greme 'amor piagata/ Melisso

~ Scena 2
09:34, Recitativo (duetto): Qual odio ingiusto contro me!/ Ruggiero/ Bradamante
11:12, Aria: Vorrei vendicarmi; Sei barbaro ingrato/ Bradamante

~ Scena 3
15:31, Recitativo: Chi scopre al mio pensiero/ Ruggiero
15:50, Aria: Mi lusinga il dolce affetto/ Ruggiero

~ Scena 4
22:43, Recitativo: S'acquiti il rio sospetto/ Alcina/ Morgana

~ Scena 5
23:19, Recitativo: E la tua pace con tanta crudeltà/ Morgana/ Alcina/ Ruggiero
23:49, Aria: Ama, sospira (col violino obligato) /Morgana

~ Scena 6
30:35, Recitativo (duetto): Non scorgo nel tuo viso il contento/ Alcina/ Ruggiero
31:43, Aria: Mio bel tesoro/ Ruggiero

~ Scena 7
37:06, Recitativo (duetto): Reina: io cerco in vano l'amato genitore!/ Alcina/ Oberto
37:53, Aria: Trà speme e timore mi palpita il core/ Oberto

~ Scena 8
41:17, Recitativo: Reina, sei tradita/ Oronte/ Alcina
41:47, Aria: Ah! mio cor/ Alcina

(CONTINUA)

Händel used the Libretto of 'L'isola di Alcina', an Opera that was set in 1728 in Rome by Riccardo Broschi, which he acquired the year after during his travels in Italy. This Magic Opera is based on Cantos from Ariosto's 'Orlando Furioso' and has a fairy-tale aspect about it. Partly altered for better conformity, the story was originally taken from Ludovico Ariosto (like those of the Händel Operas Orlando and Ariodante) an Epic Poem set in the time of Charlemagne's wars against Islam. The Opera contains several musical sequences with opportunity for dance: these were composed for dancer Marie Sallé.
All of the contrasting elements of Alcina are interwoven to create the Drama. Any omission would damage the whole. And although the ending is a happy one for the lovers Bradamante and Ruggiero, and for the victims of Alcina, hers is the central figure. Her powerful character draws us into the tragedy that is revealed through her loss of power.



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