Alcina Opera Review: Vivid Staging of Handel's Sex and Sorcery

The Royal Opera House in London is currently hosting a revival of Richard Jones and Antony McDonald's 2022 production of George Frideric Handel's opera Alcina. This revival, directed by Sarah Fahie, the original movement director, retains much of its acclaimed original cast, including Lisette Oropesa in the titular role of the enchantress Alcina. The opera's narrative, centered on sorcery and sensuality on a remote island, lends itself to a more playful and engaging interpretation, which Jones's staging embraces.

Jones's production frames the "good guys" as members of a puritanical cult, establishing a stark contrast between the moralistic world and the opera's exploration of sensual and instinctive desires. This dynamic creates a "tug of war" rather than a gentle pull between these opposing forces. A key visual element of the staging involves Alcina's prisoners being transformed into animals, including a parrot, a mandrill, and a King Charles spaniel, through the application of her enchanted perfume. These transformations are realized through highly detailed prosthetic heads, so impressive that they have been exhibited in display cases within the Royal Opera House foyer for the past two years. The animal characters are actively involved in the stage action, either fawning over Alcina or assisting in moving Antony McDonald's elaborate set pieces. These set elements include a large bed, a greenhouse, and an enchanted forest, all mounted on wheeled platforms and concealed behind doors that suggest a hotel corridor. The expansive stage often features singers in motion, contributing to the production's dynamic visual presentation.

Despite the visual spectacle and energetic performances, the opera's more subtle moments of emotional depth, introspection, and warmth risk being overshadowed by the production's overall exuberance. The staging is described as "brittle" but undeniably entertaining. The opera Alcina, composed by Handel, premiered in London in 1735 and is known for its complex vocal writing and dramatic exploration of love, betrayal, and illusion. This particular production, first seen in 2022, has been praised for its witty and vibrant staging, characterized by a "beastly style" in its depiction of the transformed characters. The revival continues to highlight the strengths of the original cast, with Oropesa's performance as Alcina being singled out as imperious and gleaming. The opera's plot follows the sorceress Alcina, who lures knights to her island and transforms them into beasts or plants. Ruggiero, one of her captives, falls in love with her but is eventually freed by his companion Bradamante, who disguises herself to rescue him. The opera is a significant work in Handel's repertoire, showcasing his mastery of operatic form and dramatic expression.