Opera by G. F. Händel
Musical direction: Jarosław Thiel
Soloists: Dennis Orellana (Teseo), Suzanne Jerosme (Agilea), Fanny Lustaud (Medea), Sonja Runje (Egeo), Johanna Rosa Falkinger (Clizia), Franko Klisović (Arcane), Michał Pytlewski (Sacerdos di Minerva), Wrocław Baroque Orchestra
Introductory talk: Stephan Drehmann, Stiftung Händel-Haus // 18.00 Uhr // Händel-Haus, Glashalle //
Admission free – unnumbered seating (in German only)
50, 25 €
Formally, Teseo is Handel’s most French opera. It is the only one of his dramatic stage works to consist not of three, but five acts – exactly like a French tragédie lyrique. Although the text is in Italian, its content is very largely based on Quinault’s libretto, which was set to music by Jean-Baptiste Lully in1675 under the title of Thésée. At the centre of the plot is the blissful love of the hero, Theseus. This he is forced to defend against the jealous sorceress, Medea, one of the most scintillating figures in the history of culture, whose character is sharply outlined by Handel’s many-layered music. The opera has been hugely popular ever since its premiere in 1713, which in addition to Handel’s talent can also be ascribed to its elaborate staging. But it is first and foremost the music that brings Medea’s evocations of the spirits and fiery enchantments so magically to life – and all the more so in a concert performance, where imagination rules.