| Handel, George Frideric (1685-1759) | Ariodante (Concert performance) |
| William Christie | Conductor | |
| Les Arts Florissants | ||
| Kate Lindsey | Mezzo-soprano | Ariodante |
| Chen Reiss | Soprano | Ginevra |
| Christophe Dumaux | Countertenor | Polinesso |
| Hila Fahima | Soprano | Dalinda |
| Rainer Trost | Tenor | Lurcanio |
| Wilhelm Schwinghammer | Bass | King of Scotland |
| Anthony Gregory | Tenor | Odoardo |
Ariodante was the first opera Handel composed for Covent Garden and its score includes some of the most inspired moments in his catalogue. The simplicity and lineal nature of the story, which is unusual in Baroque opera, confers even more depth to the work and as a result, the characters attain deep humanity. The story revolves around Prince Ariodante, who is to marry Ginevra, daughter of the King of Scotland. However, the vile Polinesso accuses him of adultery, thereby breaking their engagement. With this, he hopes to marry Ginevra and inherit the throne from her father. The truth is revealed in the end and after the turbulent events, the two lovers are reconciled.
The wide range of emotions of the protagonists is seen in this music of brilliant diversity of expression that maintains the dramatic tension from beginning to end. Some of the arias are the most demanding in Handel. Ariodante invites the spectator to take part in a roller coaster journey of love, desperation, fury and compassion.
Opera in concert version
