ALCINA

The Artistic Team

Conductor - Antony Walker
Stage Director - Matthew Haney*
Set Designer - Sarah Delaney Boyle
Costume Designer - Jason Bray
Lighting Designer - Nate Wheatley
Wig Master - Nicole Pagano
Stage Manager - Cindy Knight
Asst Lighting Desiginer / Master Electrician - TBA
Asst Stage Manager - Jinah Lee

Music composed and libretto adapted by George Friedrich Handel

_{+    Pittsburgh Opera debut
*     Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist
**   Pittsburgh Opera Resident Artist alumni} 

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• Run time: 2 hours 25 minutes with one intermission
  • Part 1 – 75:00
  • Intermission – 18:00
  • Part 2 – 52:00
• Download the Alcina Program Book (PDF)
• Download the Alcina Study Guide (PDF)
• Listen to our new Audio Guide:
  • Pittsburgh Opera is testing a new service by providing an Audio Guide that explains Alcina’s characters, pronunciations, and synopsis.
  • Please call 412-281-0912 ext. 266 to listen to the Alcina audio guide. The recording lasts about six minutes and is available 24/7.
• Understand Every Word: Alcina is sung in Italian, but has English supertitles projected above the stage at all performances
• Parking Downtown: get real-time parking availability
• Audio Description
• Braille Programs available
• Large-Print Programs available

Part One
Bradamante, disguised as her brother Ricciardo, and her tutor Melisso have come to Alcina’s island in search of Bradamante’s love, Ruggiero. They meet Morgana, Alcina's sister, who falls in love with the disguised Bradamante and promises to take them to the Queen. Alcina is revealed, surrounded by her court, including Ruggiero. Bradamante confronts Ruggiero, who recognizes her as Ricciardo but denies any interest in Ricciardo's sister—he is the faithful lover of Alcina. He runs off to find her. Oronte, rightly suspecting the constancy of Morgana, whom he loves, charges Bradamante with having stolen Morgana's love. Morgana defends Bradamante and insults Oronte. Bradamante tries to calm their mutual recriminations. Oronte, coming upon Ruggiero, who is sighing for the absent Alcina, decides to alleviate his own jealousy by making Ruggiero jealous too, and concocts a tale that Alcina now loves "Ricciardo" and will no doubt soon add Ruggiero to her collection of discarded and transformed lovers. Ruggiero believes him and heaps reproaches on the puzzled Alcina, who assures him that her feelings are unchanged. Bradamante accuses Ruggiero of disloyalty, but he retaliates with defiance, accusing her, as Ricciardo, of having stolen Alcina's love. Bradamante discloses her identity, but Melisso, worried that Ruggiero is not yet ready for this information, convinces him that she is not really Bradamante. Morgana warns Bradamante that Ruggiero has persuaded Alcina to change her into a wild beast, so Bradamante tells Morgana to assure Ruggiero that she does not love Alcina, but rather Morgana herself...

Melisso, disguised as Ruggiero's tutor Atlante, reproaches him with having abandoned the path of glory and gives him a magic ring that brings him to his senses. Ruggiero regrets his faithlessness to Bradamante and wishes to send a message of defiance to Alcina, but Melisso advises him to pretend that he still loves her and make his escape on the pretext of going hunting. Bradamante again reveals her identity, only to have Ruggiero reject this revelation as another of Alcina's deceptions. Alcina is preparing to change Ricciardo into a wild beast to appease Ruggiero, while Morgana tries to dissuade her and Ruggiero assures her that he is no longer jealous, so drastic measures are no longer necessary. Alcina notices that Ruggiero is not in his usual spirits and he suggests a hunt as a restorative. She consents and he departs. Oronte brings the news that Ruggiero is planning to flee. The heartbroken Alcina prepares to foil this plan.

Intermission

Part Two
Oronte tells Morgana that her new love is about to leave her, but she refuses to believe this and departs scornfully, leaving him to lament her power over him. Ruggiero is at last convinced that Bradamante is really herself. Morgana discovers them embracing, reproaches her for being a faithless guest and Ruggiero with betraying Alcina. Ruggiero looks forward to the ending of the enchantments. Alcina begins to make spells to bind Ruggiero to her, but realizes her powers have deserted her. Morgana tries to ingratiate herself with Oronte, who pretends indifference, but has to admit to himself that he still loves her. Alcina upbraids Ruggiero for trying to leave her. He tells her that his betrothed Bradamante now has his love. Alcina threatens vengeance, though unable to obliterate her tender feelings for him. Bradamante and Melisso join Ruggiero to plan their campaign. Melisso tells them that the island is surrounded by Alcina's enchanted monsters. Although worried at leaving his beloved, Ruggiero sets off, followed by Melisso and Bradamante, who vows to free those lying under enchantment. Oronte announces to Alcina the complete defeat of her forces and she laments her cruel fate.

Ruggiero and Bradamante confront Alcina, each advising the other not to be taken in by her deceptions. She tries both pleading and threats in vain. Ruggiero smashes the orb which holds Alcina's secret power. All her spells are broken, and all are transformed. Ruggiero, Bradamante and Melisso leave the broken hearted Alcina alone with her grief.

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• Trib Live: Catch Pittsburgh Opera’s new take on Handel’s ‘Alcina’
• WQED-FM Voice of the Arts podcasts:
  • Caitlin Gotimer (Alcina)
  • Antonia Botti-Lodovico (Ruggiero)
  • Antony Walker (Conductor)
  • Matt Haney (Stage Director)
• Pittsburgh Magazine: Things To Do This Weekend in Pittsburgh
• Broadway World: Photo Flash - Pittsburgh Opera Presents ALCINA
• OperaWire: Top 5 Operas to See This Weekend – North America
• Pittsburgh in the Round: Pittsburgh Opera’s “Alcina” – Brilliantly Sung, Well-Staged Production of Handel Rarity a Bewitching Treat
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Review: Pittsburgh Opera brings back baroque ornamentation in strong 'Alcina'
• Trib Live: 5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Jan. 31-Feb. 2
• Seen and Heard International: Pittsburgh Opera’s Alcina is a delight for both ear and eye
• Empty Nest blog: Pittsburgh Opera- Alcina- Masterfully Embellishes this Baroque Opera

Listen to Pittsburgh Opera General Director Christopher Hahn give a brief synopsis of Alcina featuring excerpts from this 1959 Deutsche Grammophon recording with Ferdinand Lietner conducting the Cappella Coloniensis:

Click play below or download these excerpts for an offline treat!

Act I

• "Overture: Grave" - performed by the Cappella Coloniensis
• “Di’ Cor Mio, Quanto T’Amai” - sung by Joan Sutherland as Alcina
• "Simplicetto! A donna credi?" - sung by Nicola Monti as Oronte
• “Tornami A Vagheggiar” - sung by Joan Sutherland as Alcina

Act II

• "Vorrei Vendicarmi Del Perfido Cor” - sung by Norma Procter as Bradamante 
• "Mio Bel Tesoro" - sung by Fritz Wunderlich as Ruggiero
• "Mi Restano Le Lagrime" - sung by Joan Sutherland as Alcina
• "Dopo Tante Amare Pene" - sung by the choristers of the Cologne Radio Chorus, under the direction of Chorus Master Bernhard Zimmerman

In this excerpt, Bradamante tells Morgana and Oronte that jealousy causes suffering, and its tyranny is felt in the heart.

Here, Ruggiero shatters Alcina’s orb, which was the source of her power. With Alcina defeated, her victims celebrate their new-found 'freedom from darkness.'

Morgana pledges to faithfully love and give her heart to Bradamante.

Ruggiero wrestles with his decision about confronting the dangerous Alcina.

Oronte admonishes Ruggiero for believing in women's honesty.