The first rehearsal took place at Handel’s own house on 11 April – his neighbour, artist Mary Pendarves, was there and wrote: “I think it is the best he ever made… While Mr Handel was playing his part, I could not help thinking of him as a necromancer in the midst of his own enchantments”.Īlcina premiered just a few days later and ran for a remarkable 18 performances. Handel composed the opera in 1735 for his new company, based at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden (what is now the Royal Opera House), in collaboration with producer John Rich, who was renowned for his spectacular productions. The poem is full of romance and chivalry, but also includes a trip to the moon, a gigantic sea monster and a flying horse!
Will the vengeful sorceress let them leave?Īlcina is based on part of a fantastical 1532 Italian epic poem by Ludovico Ariosto called Orlando furioso. He and Bradamante hatch a plan to escape the island, but Alcina discovers and is heartbroken – she had fallen genuinely in love with Ruggiero. Melissa eventually manages to slips the ring onto Ruggiero’s finger, who suddenly sees the island for the wasteland of discarded lovers it really is. However, the plan goes awry when Alcina’s sister, Morgana, is smitten with ‘Ricciardo’ and abandons her previous lover Oronte, causing general mayhem. She aims to free him with the help of a magic ring, which can break Alcina’s spell. Her latest victim is dashing knight Ruggiero, causing his fiancée Bradamante (along with her guardian Melissa) to follow him to the island, disguised as a man named ‘Ricciardo’. The opera is set on a magical island belonging to Alcina – a beautiful but dangerous enchantress who seduces every man that lands there, and transforms them into rocks or wild animals when she has grown tired of them!
All you need to know about Handel’s final ‘magic opera’ – right here… What is the story?
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