Handel’s Baroque blockbuster is viewed through the lens of a child’s fantasy in a contemporary pediatric ward. The young patients venture on a heroic journey, where knights, sorcerers, monsters, and magic are used as a salve for unimaginable challenges.
Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo leads the talented cast in Louisa Proske’s reimagined production, conducted by Detroit Opera Music Director Roberto Kalb.
- Music: George Frideric Handel
- Libretto: Giacomo Rossi
- Director: Louisa Proske
- Conductor: Roberto Kalb
- Run time: 2 hours 30 minutes, including one intermission
- Sung in Italian with English subtitles
- Re-mount of Glimmerglass 2023 production
In a hospital ward, a boy recovering from an operation distracts himself with stories of knights and their heroic deeds. In the bed beside him, an unconscious girl is fighting for her life. The boy becomes deeply absorbed in the storybook, imagining himself the hero of an unfolding tale.
Rinaldo, encouraged by his King, Goffredo, pledges to join the fight against Argante, their mysterious adversary. Argante requests a temporary truce, which Goffredo grants. Argante consults the sorceress Armida, who reveals that their side will be victorious if they can capture Rinaldo; she pledges to take the knight herself.
Meanwhile, Rinaldo finds himself mesmerized by Goffredo’s daughter, Almirena. Armida, seeing an opportunity, seizes the girl as bait. Rinaldo is paralyzed by grief but then, encouraged by Goffredo, sets off to save her.
In Armida’s enchanted domain, Almirena weeps, Argante considers his next move, and Armida waits for Rinaldo to appear. When Rinaldo attempts to rescue Almirena, the battle is intensified and complicated by Armida’s attraction to Rinaldo. Using magic, she disguises herself as Almirena, and thus succeeds in capturing Rinaldo.
Goffredo learns of Rinaldo’s plight; he and the other knights decide to storm Armida’s castle, despite a sorcerer’s warnings. When their first attempt is unsuccessful, they return to the sorcerer, who arms them with magic, allowing them to rescue both Rinaldo and Almirena.
The heroes are reunited, still reeling from all they have endured. Argante and Arminda soon appear and the fighting begins again. Rinaldo’s heroic response brings the war to a definitive conclusion, freeing combatants on both sides to begin a new life.
– Courtesy of Glimmerglass Festival
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