Washington National Opera: Alcina

What happens when the enchantress becomes the enchanted?
 
Alcina
Music by George Frideric Handel / Libretto by Riccardo Broschi
In Italian with Projected English Titles
New WNO Production
 
Welcome to the island of illusions. Peer beyond the palms to discover the beautiful Alcina, a sorceress skilled in the art of seduction. Her passion burns red hot--until she tires of her conquests and turns them into wild beasts or stone. When dashing knight Ruggiero succumbs to this femme fatale's dangerous charms, his fiancée Bradamante takes on a daring disguise to free her betrothed and break the curse. But is Alcina finally falling for the man of her dreams? In this cruel paradise, can anyone tell what's real?
 
This exciting new WNO production is our first-ever staging of Handel's masterful baroque opera, crafted at the pinnacle of his creativity in the era of Ariodante and Messiah. Matched to the intimate acoustics of the Eisenhower Theater, Alcina harkens to the magnificent tradition of grand Handelian singing, with world-class vocal talents impeccably suited to every sumptuous role. Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to fall under the spell of one of opera's brightest jewels, rarely performed until the perfect cast makes it well worth the wait!

"Alcina is such a fantastical tale filled with magic and intrigue. Coming back to WNO is a complete joy, and I can't wait to bring this sorceress to life."--Angela Meade
 
"Ruggiero's struggle to see reality through the veil of magical intervention is one I look forward to revisiting at WNO."--Elizabeth DeShong

Performance Timing: Act One - 91 min.; Intermission - 25 min.; Act Two - 60 min.

Alcina:                         
Angela Meade
Morgana:                     
Ying Fang
Ruggiero:        
Elizabeth DeShong
Bradamante:    
Daniela Mack
Get tickets and see casting for the Nov. 18 Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist performance here.
 
Director:                      
Anne Bogart
Conductor:      
Jane Glover    
Set Designer:   
Neil Patel
Costume Designer:      
James Schuette
Lighting Designer:      
Christopher Akerlind
Choreographer:           
Barney O'Hanlon

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COME EARLY FOR FREE OPERA INSIGHTS
Informative and entertaining, Opera Insights take you inside the composer's mind, behind the scenes of planning a production, and into the history and social context of each opera.
These lectures are free, but patrons must present a ticket from any performance of Alcina.

Most Opera Insights begin 1 hour before the performance and last 20–25 minutes. Musicologist Saul Lilienstein's Opera Insights, scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 8, begins 1 hour and 15 minutes before the performance and last 35–40 minutes:

POST-PERFORMANCE TALKBACKS WITH THE ARTISTS
Don't miss your opportunity to engage directly with our artists and share your thoughts on the experience you just had! Here's your chance to ask questions and get the inside scoop on the production from members of the cast and creative team. 
All discussions begin immediately after the performance and are free with your ticket.

Alcina Talkback Dates:
Monday, Nov. 6
Friday, Nov. 17
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