Home / Arts and Entertainment / Handel's Opera Gets a Love Island Makeover!
Handel's Opera Gets a Love Island Makeover!
17 Jul
Summary
- Buxton festival's Amadigi swaps magic for TV trickery and producers.
- Sopranos and countertenors shine in a small cast with palpable chemistry.
- The English Concert's playing propels the action with baroque dynamism.
The Buxton festival's staging of Handel's "Amadigi" offers a fresh take, replacing its traditional magic with modern television trickery. Director Olivia Fuchs transforms the opera into a "Love Island"-esque reality show, featuring sorceresses as powerful producers and a cast of foolish lovers akin to reality TV contestants. This inventive production incorporates elements like inflatable flamingos and a barrage of cameras, creating an engaging experience that elicits smiles and emotional connection.
The small cast, consisting of sopranos Hilary Cronin and Rowan Pierce, and countertenors James Hall and Tim Morgan, delivers a performance defined by strong chemistry. Their vocal agility and engaging interactions are crucial in compensating for the absence of lower vocal ranges. Erin Helyard and the English Concert provide a driving baroque soundtrack, characterized by propulsive playing that accentuates emotive moments, particularly for the oboe and bassoon.
Fuchs's inventive direction is key to selling the concept. Melissa's illusions become video effects, trials transform into gameshow challenges, and the opera's tortures are humorously depicted with everyday items like hair straighteners. Hilary Cronin delivers a standout performance as Melissa, embodying villainy with charm and mastering Handel's coloratura. Rowan Pierce offers a lighter vocal performance as Oriana, while James Hall brings bite to Dardano and Tim Morgan effectively portrays Amadigi.
