Home / Arts and Entertainment / Royal Opera House: Psychodrama Meets Opera
Royal Opera House: Psychodrama Meets Opera
10 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Handel's Ariodante reimagined as modern family psychodrama.
- Director Mijnssen explores dysfunctional royal family dynamics.
- Singers' projection of text is often minimal, akin to instrumental music.
Handel's "Ariodante," composed in 1735, is being staged at the Royal Opera House in a new production by director Jetske Mijnssen. This version reframes the opera as a contemporary family psychodrama, exploring the intricacies of a dysfunctional royal household.
Mijnssen, known for her bold interpretations, presents a modern palace setting where the king's children navigate complex relationships. While the opera traditionally concludes happily, this production highlights the dramatic tensions, sometimes pushing the boundaries between music and narrative.
The cast delivers intense performances, but the clarity of sung text is a notable issue, with some sections feeling almost instrumental. The orchestra, under Stefano Montanari, offers a dynamic interpretation that occasionally overshadows the singers.
