La Liberazione di Ruggiero, the earliest surviving opera by a woman, brings magical girl-power to the Buxton festival with a mix of wizards and sorceresses. This 1625 rarity by Francesca Caccini reimagines Ariosto's Orlando Furioso with a feminist twist, where warrior Ruggiero is a lovesick captive and sorceresses Alcina and Melissa battle for control.
A Historic Opera with Modern Energy
Premiered at the Medici court under regent Maria Maddalena of Austria, La Liberazione di Ruggiero bursts with color and idiomatic energy. Director Eloise Lally and Vache Baroque offer a meditation on power systems, though the production shines when it embraces silliness over earnestness. Jonathan Darbourne's band supplements Caccini's score with works from Florentine contemporaries, creating a rich tapestry of sound.
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Musical Highlights and Performance
The music features three recorders weaving in silvery parallel, answered by belching sackbuts. Violins dance to rhythms from theorbo and guitar, with textures ranging from gritty to gilded. Jon Stainsby as Ruggiero delivers an impassioned performance, while the chorus of former lovers transformed into plants adds delightful absurdity.
| Aspect | Traditional Opera | La Liberazione di Ruggiero |
|---|---|---|
| Composer | Male-dominated | Francesca Caccini (first woman) |
| Theme | Heroic rescue | Girl-power, captivity reversal |
| Production Style | Classic opulence | Skid Row meets pastoral |
| Musical Texture | Orchestral standard | Recorders, sackbuts, theorbo |
Key Takeaways
- Francesca Caccini made history with the earliest surviving opera by a woman.
- The Buxton festival presents a trio of operas from three centuries, with Caccini's as the opener.
- Director Eloise Lally uses a meth-cooking aesthetic for potion-making scenes.
- The music blends Caccini's expressive score with instrumental works from Florentine contemporaries.
- The production is at its best when it embraces fun over high-minded seriousness.
FAQ
What is La Liberazione di Ruggiero about?
It's a 1625 opera by Francesca Caccini based on Ariosto's Orlando Furioso, where warrior Ruggiero is a lovesick captive and sorceresses Alcina and Melissa battle for control, with a feminist twist.
Why is this opera significant?
It's the earliest surviving opera by a woman, premiered at the Medici court, and features a unique girl-power narrative with a chorus of transformed lovers and a horse ballet ending.
Where is La Liberazione di Ruggiero being performed?
The production is part of the Buxton festival, performed by Vache Baroque under director Eloise Lally, with music led by Jonathan Darbourne.
For those seeking a rare operatic experience, La Liberazione di Ruggiero offers a delightful blend of history, humor, and musical innovation. Don't miss this chance to see a 17th-century rarity that reminds us why opera can be both profound and playful.
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