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Free performance at CityPlace

ALCINA by G.F. HANDEL

Will you be seduced by the mysterious sorceress?

The setting of the opera is the enchantress Alcina’s island: here by her magic powers she has created a magnificent palace in a beautiful landscape, to lure her many lovers into her power. One of these is Ruggiero, a warrior, who under Alcina’s spell has forsaken his duty and his betrothed.

Performed in Italian with English supertitles.

This event is FREE and open to the public.  No tickets are necessary.
Lobby doors open at 6:30 PM and theater doors open at 7:00 PM.  The performance starts at 7:30 PM.

Performance Running Time: 1 Hour

A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $25. VIP tickets can be purchased at the door up to 1 hour prior to the performance.

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Meet the Artists

CAST of CHARACTERS

Alcina: Claire Kuttler
Morgana: Bridgette Gan
Ruggiero: JoAna Rusche
Bradamante: Rachel Arky
Oronte: Nicholas Nestorak
Melisso: Peter Tomaszewski

MUSIC & DIRECTION

Music Director: Timothy Cheung
Stage Director: Fenlon Lamb

PRODUCTION PERSONNEL

Stage Manager: Sandra Zamora
Assistant Stage Manager/Supertitles Operator: Kelsey Burston
Lighting Supervisor: Ardean Landhuis
Properties Supervisor: Andrew Nienaber

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Synopsis

Alcina is conceived as a full-length opera, but has been condensed for this performance.

Bradamante arrives on Alcina’s island with Ruggiero’s former tutor, Melisso. She is dressed to look like a young man and goes by the name of her own brother, Ricciardo. She and Melisso possess a magic ring which enables the wearer to see through illusion, which they plan to use to break Alcina’s spells and release her captives. The first person they meet is the sorceress Morgana. She immediately abandons her own lover Oronte for the handsome ‘Ricciardo.’ Alcina arrives with Ruggiero on her arm. Bradamante is dismayed to discover that he is completely besotted with Alcina and has no memory of his previous life. Bradamante and Melisso rebuke Ruggiero for his desertion, but he can’t think of anything except Alcina.

Meanwhile, Oronte discovers that Morgana has fallen in love with ‘Ricciardo,’ and challenges ‘him’ to a duel. Morgana stops the fight, but Oronte is in a foul mood and takes it out on Ruggiero. He tells the young man exactly how Alcina treats her former lovers and adds that, as far as he can tell, Alcina has fallen in love with the newcomer, Ricciardo. Ruggiero is horrified. Bradamante confronts Ruggiero and reveals her true identity. Melisso hastily contradicts her and Ruggiero becomes very confused.

Alcina has told Morgana that she plans to turn Ricciardo into an animal, just to show Ruggiero how much she really loves him. Morgana begs Ricciardo to escape the island and Alcina’s clutches, but ‘he’ says he’d rather stay, as he loves another. Morgana believes that this other person is herself, and celebrates with the triumphant aria “Tornami a vagheggiar.”

Melisso recalls Ruggiero to reason and duty by appearing as the wizard Atlante and letting him wear the magic ring; under its influence, Ruggiero sees the island as it really is—a desert, peopled with monsters. Melisso warns Ruggiero that he can’t just leave; Alcina still wields immense power, and he should cover his escape by telling her that he wishes to go hunting. Ruggiero agrees. Morgana begs Alcina to reconsider her plan to turn Ricciardo into an animal, and Ruggiero has to pull himself together quickly and convince the sorceress that he doesn’t need any proof of her love. Alcina genuinely loves Ruggiero and lets him go even though she will suffer so much without him. In the mean time, Bradamante is hopeful about her reunion with Ruggiero. Oronte realizes that Ricciardo, Melisso and Ruggiero are in some sort of alliance, and tells Alcina. She begs the gods for solace and questions her great love for Ruggiero. At last, Bradamante and Ruggiero are reunited and plan to escape. Morgana and Alcina realize they have been deceived. But it is too late: Alcina’s powers depend on illusion and, as true love enters her life, her magic powers slip away. Alcina tries in vain to call up evil spirits to stop Ruggiero from leaving her.

Morgana and Oronte try to rebuild their relationship; she begs forgiveness and he rebuffs her but then admits he still loves her. Alcina confronts Ruggiero and Bradamante. She pleads with them and then plots their demise and refuses any pity. Ruggiero is deaf to her appeals and destroys the source of Alcina’s magical powers. Alcina’s magic palace crumbles to dust and she and Morgana sink into the ground. The survivors sing of their relief and joy.

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What is One Opera in One Hour?

Explore new and exciting repertoire with our one hour abridged versions of operas that will feed your adventurous spirit!

These FREE performances at the Harriet Himmel Theater at CityPlace feature the immensely talented Palm Beach Opera Young Artists accompanied by piano.

The intimate setting of the Himmel Theater is the perfect place to experience opera singers up-close-and-personal, and makes for a great night out at CityPlace followed by dinner or drinks with your friends.