Alcina Review: Handel's Opera of Sex and Sorcery Comes Alive 2026

Handel's Alcina review: this opera of sex and sorcery comes alive in a vivid staging by Richard Jones at the Royal Opera House. First seen in 2022 and revived by Sarah Fahie, the production transforms Handel's Baroque masterpiece into a playful yet thought-provoking spectacle. With its desert-island storyline of magic and desire, Alcina invites a fun, contemporary treatment that Jones delivers with wit and imagination.

A Sorceress's Island of Illusions

At the heart of Alcina lies the sorceress herself, who lures men to her island and transforms them into animals or inanimate objects when she tires of them. In this production, the prisoners become a parrot, a mandrill, and a King Charles spaniel, all wearing exquisitely crafted prosthetic heads. These costumes, so beautifully made that they were displayed in the Royal Opera House foyer, add a layer of whimsy to the dark tale. The animals fawn over Alcina or move Antony McDonald's sets, which include a huge bed, a greenhouse, and an enchanted forest on wheeled platforms. The staging is dynamic, with singers frequently running across the wide stage, keeping the energy high.

Puritan Cult vs. Sensual World

Jones reimagines the "good guys" as members of a puritan cult, heightening the tension between moral rigidity and sensual freedom. This tug of war between the moral world and the instinctive one is more than a gentle pull; it's a clash of ideologies. The production's brittle tone risks overshadowing the opera's moments of warmth and introspection, but it remains thoroughly entertaining. The visual spectacle and the committed performances ensure that Handel's music, though sometimes drowned by the heft of the Royal Opera House orchestra, still shines through.

Musical Highlights and Staging Spectacle

Despite the busy staging, the singing is uniformly strong. The cast navigates Handel's intricate arias with skill, even if the orchestral accompaniment sometimes feels heavy-handed. The production's design, with its movable sets and surreal animal characters, creates a world that is both enchanting and unsettling. It's a balancing act that mostly succeeds, offering a fresh perspective on a classic work.

• Vivid staging: Richard Jones's production brings a fun, contemporary twist to Handel's opera.
• Strong singing: The cast delivers Handel's challenging arias with skill and emotion.
• Visual spectacle: Prosthetic animals and movable sets create a magical, immersive world.
• Thematic depth: The clash between puritanism and sensuality adds intellectual intrigue.

FAQ

In conclusion, this Alcina review finds that Handel's opera of sex and sorcery comes alive in a vivid staging that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Richard Jones's production, with its imaginative design and strong musical execution, offers a fresh take on a classic. While the orchestral weight sometimes overwhelms the delicate moments, the overall experience is a magical journey into a world of enchantment and desire.

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