Solstice premiere for new production of Handel's 'Alcinia'
Ireland's premier opera touring company, Opera Theatre Company, is to return to the Solstice Theatre, Navan, with its production of Handel's exquisite opera, 'Alcina' this October. Set in a timeless world full of passion and plots, where reality blurs with fantasy, the enigmatic Alcina reigns. Intrigue surrounds this ruthless beauty who spends her time seducing lovers then, once bored, swiftly discarding them. However, when the handsome Ruggiero is bewitched by Alcina's charms, his fiancée Bradamante enlists the help of her friend Melisso and disguised as a man sets out to rescue her beloved. Deceit, sensuality and seduction pervade Handel's glorious music with exquisite arias (sung in English) that lament love unrequited and faith betrayed. Considered by some as Handel's last great opera, Alcina will delight the first time opera-goer and the passionate fan alike. This will be Opera Theatre Company's third visit to Navan. Earlier productions at Solstice include Handel's 'Orlando' and Rossini's 'The Barber of Seville', which sold out for two nights in February. Opera Theatre Company will reside at Solstice for a production week leading up to a preview performance on Friday 16th October, followed by the premiere performance on Saturday 17th October before heading off on a national tour. The final instalment of Opera Theatre Company's Handel Trilogy 2009, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the great composer's death, Alcina is directed by Annilese Miskimmon with design by Nicky Shaw and lighting by Tina MacHugh. The Opera Theatre Company Ensemble performs the ravishing score under its music director, Christian Curnyn. The cast includes Irish soprano and mezzo-soprano Sinead Campbell-Wallace (Alcina) and Doreen Curran (Bradmante) with Steven Wallace (Ruggiero), Jane Harrington (Morgana), Julian Hubbard (Melisso), and Ed Lyon (Oronte). Tickets for Friday 16th October are €15 and for Saturday 17th October are €25 and €20 concession rate. To book tickets call Solstice Arts Centre on 046 909 2300 or online at www.solsticeartscentre.ie