Neustadt enthusiastic: Handel's Alcina in captivating staging!

Neustadt enthusiastic: Handel's Alcina in captivating staging!

On April 30, 2025, the Mannheim music college in the hall building in Neustadt presented an exciting staging by Georg Friedrich Handel's opera "Alcina". The performance convinced by a newly interpreted action that was moved to an English boarding school of the early 20th century. This creative decision links classic opera with modern references, including references to Harry Potter, and gives the centuries -old history a fresh perspective. The staging was perceived as coherent and impressive.

The Saarland State Orchestra, led by Sébastien Rouland, provided a captivating performance of baroque music that kidnapped the audience into the world of Alcina and their magical machinations. The opulent staging of director Alessandro TALEVI was supplemented with a stage design by Madelein Boyd, which was reminiscent of a spaceship from "Star Trek: The Next Generation". This sterile laboratory atmosphere and the representation of a biosphere created by humans revealed aspects of a sect-like society in which Alcina appears as a charismatic but manipulative guide. Her lovers cruel them cruelly into stones, plants or animals.

The topics of the staging

The action that revolves around Bradamante and her desperate attempt to free her beloved Ruggiero from Alcina's catches, also subtly addresses current problems such as criticism of capitalism and climate change. This was emphasized by critics as both a strength and a weakness of the staging. While some elements were considered innovative, there were also voices that considered the implementation of these complex topics as poor and thereby detrimental to the spectator enjoyment.

The actors were mostly convincing, even if some protagonists had to deal with the demanding collectors in Handel's arias. Artavazds Sargsyan found special recognition in the role of the Oronte and Liudmilla Lokaichuk as Morgana, which showed outstanding achievements. The opera lives in particular from the impressive vocal numbers that reflect Handel's musical genius.

The staging triggered a variety of emotions and was the subject of an in -depth discussion on the program "Region am Sonntag" on SR 3 Saarlandwelle. Here the topics linked to the action and their relevance for today were intensively illuminated. sr.de provides further information about the performers .

Finally, it can be said that the performance of "Alcina" at the Mannheim University of Music was an exciting experience that impressively linked both the classic roots of the opera and modern relevance. Further productions from Handel can also be experienced in the Frankfurt Opera. .