Opera

Georg Friedrich Händel

Richard The First, King of England

21 Oct, 26

Premier at the Teatro Real

Musical conductor
Paul Agnew

Chorus and Orchestra
Chorus and Orchestra Les Arts Florissants

One of the great Baroque works – Riccardo Primo, re d’Inghilterra, the only Handel opera based on the story of an English monarch – opens at the Real. Under the baton of Paul Agnew, Les Arts Florissants bring this musical treasure to life, together with the acclaimed countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński in the title role.

Opera in three acts.

Music by Georg Friedrich Händel (1685-1759).

Libretto by Paolo Antonio Rolli, after Francesco Briani’s libretto Isacio tiranno (1710).

Premiered at The King’s Theatre (London) on 11 november 1727.

Premier at the Teatro Real.

Concert version.

Hugh Cutting is going to substitute for Jakub Józef Orlinski in the role of Riccardo Primo for personal reasons.

Leer menos

Artistic Team

Musical conductor Paul Agnew
Orchestra Chorus and Orchestra Les Arts Florissants

Cast

Riccardo Hugh Cutting Oct - 21

Costanza Mélissa Petit Oct - 21

Berardo Alex Rosen Oct - 21

Isacio Andreas Wolf Oct - 21

Pulcheria Juliette Mey Oct - 21

Oronte Paul Figuier Oct - 21

Language

Italian

Surtitles in

English, Spanish

Synopsis and more information

The plot tells a story based on the Third Crusade, when King Richard the Lionheart arrives in Cyprus pretending to be an ambassador to rescue his betrothed, Costanza, whom he has never seen and who has been captured by the tyrant Isacio after a shipwreck. He attempts to trick Richard by sending his daughter Pulcheria instead of Costanza. Pulcheria obeys but intends to reveal the truth, and her fiancé Oronte discovers the plot and foils it. Richard then launches a final military attack on the island and defeats the tyrant, installing Pulcheria and Oronte as the new rulers. Richard and Costanza are finally united.