Early and Baroque Opera 2

13 landmark productions of early works from leading opera houses including the Opéra Comique, Dutch National Opera and Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. Performances include: Deborah Warner’s critically acclaimed production of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas (Opéra Comique, 2008), Handel’s rarely performed opera, Deidamia (Dutch National Opera, 2009) and Robert Carsen’s intellectual and stylized production of Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria (Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, 2021).

Highlights:

• See how sets and atmosphere work together in Deborah Warner’s production of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas (Opéra Comique, 2008). Its highly theatrical staging, gymnasium-inspired set and poetic prologue spoken by Fiona Shaw make this one of the most striking modern interpretations of the opera.
• Explore how the production decisions made in Monteverdi’s Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria (Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, 2021) add a meta-theatrical layer to the opera where the gods watch the lives of Ulisse and Penelope play out as if in a theatre. Compare this production with Teatro Real’s 2009 version, available in the Early and Baroque Opera 1 collection.
• Discover an overlooked classic in Deidamia, as performed by the Dutch National Opera in 2009, reviving Handel’s rarely performed last Italian opera with vibrant sets and expressive execution.
• Compare Opéra Comique’s 2009 production of L’Orfeo with Teatro Real’s 2008 version, available in the Early and Baroque Opera 1 collection.

Image Credits.