Tickets
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Dates
Location
Approximate timings
This performance lasts approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes, including two intervals.
Act I:
55 minutes
Interval:
25 minutes
Act II:
1 hour 15 minutes
Interval:
25 minutes
Act III:
45 minutes
Accessibility
- Audio Described
- Captioned
- BSL Interpreted
- Touch Tour
Expand all dates
Tuesday 15 September, 6:30 pm
Friday 18 September, 6:30 pm
Sunday 20 September, 2:00 pm
Guidance
Content suitable for all
Children under the age of five are not permitted into our theatres. Children over the age of five must have their own ticket and sit next to an accompanying adult.
Language
Sung in Italian with English surtitles, which are displayed on screens above the stage and around the auditorium.
Generous support from
Exceptional philanthropic support from
Royal Ballet and Opera Principal The Julia Rausing Trust
Role of the conductor generously supported by
Kathryn Uhde
Co-production with
The Metropolitan Opera,
New York
In Partnership with Rolex, Principal Partner, The Royal Opera
Synopsis
The story of Alcina
Alcina, an enchantress, uses her magical powers to lure her lovers to her island. When she tires of them, she transforms them into animals. Ruggiero is her latest conquest – but his wife, Bradamante, has vowed to rescue him. Bradamante arrives on Alcina’s island, disguised as ‘Ricciardo’, a man, and there the games begin. When Morgana, Alcina’s sister, is immediately attracted to him, Morgana’s jealous lover, Oronte, falsely states that Alcina is in love with ‘Ricciardo’ too. As Alcina’s web of sorcery and seduction comes under pressure, can she retain the affections of Ruggiero? Or will Bradamante succeed in winning back her husband?
Read the full synopsis
Creatives
The artists and creatives behind the production
Composer
Librettist
Director
Designer
Lighting Designer
Movement Director
Discover
The sorceress Alcina has it all worked out: an endless supply of lovers, and the magical means to dispose of them when she gets bored. But when her current lover, Ruggiero’s fiancée turns up, Alcina’s fantasy world collides with cruel reality. With its strong female heroine, dazzling plot twists and firecracker arias, Handel’s Alcina is an irresistible treat. Richard Jones’ Olivier Award-winning production is full of magic and glamour, with critics praising his "witty and vibrant staging full of beastly style" (The Guardian).
Handel in London
The history
Composed in 1735 for Covent Garden, Handel’s magical opera, Alcina, was inspired by Orlando furioso, Ludovico Ariosto’s epic Italian poem, which also inspired Handel’s operas, Ariodante (also 1735) and Orlando (1733). Featuring an Italian-language libretto, the opera was written for the premier singers of Handel’s day, with Anna Maria Strada in the title role, and the castrato, Giovanni Carestini, singing the role of Ruggiero. To find out more about Handel’s life in Covent Garden and beyond, visit our Handel: Creative Spotlight.
Enchanting arias
The music
The opera is filled with musical gems, although Ruggiero’s wistful aria, ‘Verdi prati’, Morgana’s acrobatic ‘Tornami a vagheggiar’, and Alcina’s barnstorming ‘Ma quando tornerai’ are particular highlights. The themes of magic and sorcery are woven throughout the plot, and Handel’s score responds with an abundance of musical enchantments.
An operatic Romantasy?
The inspiration
With its fantastical storyline and magical transformations (with plenty of lovers-to-animals represented in Richard Jones’ production), there is much that Alcina shares with the popular tropes of Romantasy – a literary genre combining elements of romance and fantasy. Where better to explore the musical equivalent, than Handel’s 1735 opera?
Aria highlight: Morgana's 'Tornami a vagheggiar' (Turn me to fond desire) – in concert in 2020
Gallery
Accessibility and resources
There is lift access and there are step-free routes to over 100 seats in the Stalls Circle, Balcony and Amphitheatre. Some seats in the Stalls Circle, Balcony, Amphitheatre and the Donald Gordon Grand Tier are accessed by 9 steps or fewer. There are 10 steps or more to access seats in the Orchestra Stalls.
You can use the assistive listening systems in our auditoriums. Surtitles, captions and translations in English are displayed on screens above the stage and around the auditorium.
Join our Access Scheme for priority access to tickets and to inform us of your access requirements.
See our Accessibility page for more information or view a visitors guide (PDF, 12.0 MB).
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