Handel’s romantic and dramatic opera, Alcina, weaves a complex narrative where lovers’ quarrels unravel on an island. The story is filled with electrifying magic, heartache, and even spell-casting. To depict some of those lofty scenes, Ottawa opera company OperOttawa will simplify some visuals in its upcoming performance of the show this March. An urn is broken to release Alcina from her sorcery, and some surprising character changes are revealed through costuming.
Like any Handel opera, Alcina is as theatrical as it gets, says Norman Brown, OperOttawa’s founding artistic director.
Norman Brown. Photo provided.
“It’s got a typical Handel plot that’s sometimes confusing, and there’s love triangles all over the place,” he says. Thanks to several arias (or songs) performed by a single opera singer, Handel’s Alcina was made to show off the talents of its musicians, capable of demonstrating their creativity and skill through ornamenting. The upbeat swell and energy captured in Morgana’s aria is a particular showstopper in Alcina, Brown says.
“Some of the Alcina arias are the most beautiful… that’s where the fireworks start, as I like to say. So, if the singer has amazing high notes, you’re gonna hear a lot of high notes. If they have amazing flexibility, then you’re gonna hear lots of runs all over the place.”
The three-hour opera showcases the talent of virtuoso obligato recorder player Gerard Nieuwenhuis.
“He is just amazing. He will be playing the flute part for most of the show. We added him in on several other movements as an extra instrument because it just adds such a lovely texture,” Brown says.
Pianist Frederic Lacroix will provide continual support to the orchestra and singers. Brown notes, “when Fred takes his bow, the walls shake.” In addition to a chamber string orchestra, extraordinary percussion effects will be provided by Jack Hui Lister.
OperOttawa performing Acis and Galatea by Handel in 2021. Photo provided.
There will also be dynamic choruses and dance performances for the audience. In addition to conducting the performance, Brown also stars in the opera as Ruggiero’s former tutor, Melisso. The part of Alcina is performed by soprano Erinne-Colleen Laurin. Alcina’s evil sister, Morgana, will be sung by Morgan Strickland, and Ruggiero, Alcina’s love victim under a spell, is portrayed by Marie Lyne Tremblay. Further casting includes Carole Portelance as Bradamante, Alexander Cappellazzo as Oronte, and Kathleen Radke as Oberto.
OperOttawa’s rendition of the opera will focus on singing. The show has also been adapted and extended into four acts instead of three, with an intermission following the second act. Surprisingly, around 90 percent of the recently incorporated OperOttawa consists of local talent from the national capital region—something Brown says isn’t often achieved in opera. Another surprise is that OperOttawa will perform its upcoming season with all female voices. They will open their upcoming season in September with Giacomo Puccini‘s one-act opera, Suor Angelica.
Brown adds that supporting this surviving opera group is pivotal amid other opera companies shutting their doors during the pandemic.
“We’ve got really good people and they’re worth coming out to see if you love singing,” Brown says. “The thing about opera is it has a bit of everything. Last year, we had singers, we had a pianist, we had musicians, we had an orchestra, and we had a dancer… So there’s something for everyone.”
OperOttawa’s performance of Handel’s Alcina will be presented at First Baptist Church on March 5 at 2:30pm. Tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for students under 18 and are available on Eventbrite, at the doors or from a cast member.
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