Alcina, when love triumphs over enchantment

Alcina is undoubtedly Handel's most beautiful and poignant masterpiece. It offers its heroine heart-rending scenes, such as in the famous aria "Ah! Mio cor...". The composer from Halle also wrote many passages of almost unrivalled emotional power in all his other compositions.

Alcina, a major work of the 18th century, is a three-act opera by Georg Friedrich Handel, inspired by Ariosto and more specifically by cantos VI and VII of his Orlando furioso. After its premiere on 16 April 1735, 18 performances followed, establishing this opera as one of the exceptional artistic creations of the time. The score can be considered the expression of a high point in Baroque music. The interplay between soprano, contralto, tenor, bass and castrato brings all its nobility and magnificence to this masterpiece.

THE STORY

Thanks to a spell, the sumptuous sorceress Alcina keeps Ruggiero by her side under the illusion of love, for the first time she has experienced this feeling for a man. With the help of her governor, the faithful fiancée Bradamante, disguised as a man, travels to Alcina's island to rescue her knight. Upon her arrival, she meets Morgana, the sorceress's sister, who falls in love with the young woman in disguise, much to the despair of Oronte, her betrothed. Oberto, a young paladin searching for his father, eventually unmasks the enchantress, who flees, abandoning her palace and her love. Freed from the spell, the men are finally free, each reunited with his beloved, and Oberto with his father. Ruggiero and Bradamante are finally reunited.

THE MAIN ROLES

• Alcina, sorceress, soprano
• Ruggiero, knight, castrato soprano
• Morgana, sister of the sorceress (and a sorceress herself), soprano
• Bradamante, Ruggiero's fiancée, taking on the appearance of her brother Ricciardo, contralto
• Oronte, commander of the enchantress's armies, tenor