VIDEO PODCAST: Slava Ukraini! - recorded on 24 February 2022, the day the world woke up to the news that Vladimir Putin's Russian forces had invaded Ukraine. A fifty minute video which also features Caitríona O'Leary and Eric Fraad discussing their new film Island of Saints, and pays tribute to Joseph Horovitz, Malcolm Troup and Maria Nockin.
FROM ROME: Keep in touch with the Italian opera and classical music scene by reading Giuseppe Pennisi's regular reports.
George Frideric Handel's Ariodante is a three act opera seria which was first performed at the Covent Garden Theatre in London, UK on 8 January 1735, opening the composer's first season there. It was initially successful but then neglected for almost two hundred years, until an edition of the score was produced in the 1960s. Now it's considered by many to be one of Handel's finest operas.
Set in medieval Scotland, Ginevra, the King's daughter, is about to marry Prince Ariodante. She rejects Polinesso, the Duke of Albany's advances, but Polinesso falsifies evidence to make Ariodante and Ginevra's father believe that Ginevra has been unfaithful. Ariodante attempts to commit suicide and Ginevra is condemned. Ariodante's brother Lurcanio challenges Polinesso to a duel. Polinesso loses, and as he dies, tells the truth about his trick, and Ginevra and Ariodante are reunited.
Ensemble. A Connolly Smorgasbord - A selection of performances by Sarah Connolly, as part of the Buxton International Festival Digital 2020 Season, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. A Baroque Fight for Love and Power - Handel's 'Ariodante' at Salzburg, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi
Ensemble. An Enthralling Performance - Robert Hugill reviews Handel's 'Flavio'
Making a Real Fuss - Robert Hugill looks forward to English Touring Opera's HandelFest this autumn
Ensemble. Imaginatively Programmed - Handel arias from the Classical Opera Company, enjoyed by Robert Hugill
CD Spotlight. Full of Delights - Handel's 'Parnasso in Festa', recommended by Robert Hugill. '... some truly superb Handel singing (and playing) ...'
Ensemble. Gripping Stuff - Handel's 'Ariodante' at English National Opera, enjoyed by Robert Hugill