The Teatro Real's ingenious production of Handel's Partenope, directed by Ivor Bolton and Christopher Alden, sets the mythological tale of the Queen of Naples in a 1920s urban mansion, transforming the protagonist into the iconic British writer, editor, and journalist Nancy Cunard. Brenda Rae, Teresa Iervolino, Iestyn Davies, and Anthony Roth Costanzo, among others, bring the characters of this comedy to life.
The plot details the misadventures of four suitors who compete with cunning and disguises to win Partenope's heart. The story takes a turn when the former lover of one of the suitors appears, determined to reclaim her beloved.
Opera in three acts
Music by Georg Friedrich Händel (1685-1759)
Anonymous libretto, adapted from Silvio Stampiglia for the homonymous opera (1725) by Leonardo Vinci
Premiered at the King’s Theatre of London, February 24, 1730
Premiere at the Teatro Real
Coproduction of the English National Opera, San Francisco Opera and Opera Australia
Artistic team
Conductor I Ivor Bolton
Stage director I Christopher Alden
Set designer I Andrew Lieberman
Costume designer I Jon Morrell
Lighting designer I Adam Silverman
Cast
Partenope I Brenda Rae
Rosmira I Teresa Iervolino
Arsace I Iestyn Davies
Armindo I Anthony Roth Costanzo
Emilio I Jeremy Ovenden
Ormonte I Nikolay Borchev
Teatro Real Orchestra
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