April 26, 2023
West Chester University Opera Theatre Stages Handel’s Alcina
Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7
West Chester University Opera Theatre will stage George Frideric Handel’s Alcina on Saturday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, May 7, at 3 p.m. in the Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, Philips Memorial Building, 700 S. High Street, West Chester. Tickets are $14 for adults and $9 for seniors and outside students. West Chester University faculty, staff, and students, as well as children under 12 are FREE. Tickets at https://wcupatix.com/schoolofmusic. Director of Opera Nicholas Provenzale directs and Joseph Hodge conducts the chamber orchestra.
Premiering in 1735, Alcina is set on an enchanted island where nothing is as it seems. With some of Handel’s most brilliant music, Alcina’s story of seduction, magic, and love remains popular with audiences today. This opera is performed in Italian with English supertitles.
Director Nicholas Provenzale says, “I used the movie, The Matrix, as inspiration for this production of Alcina, which features projected art, video display, chamber orchestra, and a stellar cast of singers. In our version, Alcina’s magic lies in her use of technology - she traps her victims in a simulated reality.”
The cast of Alcina includes: Zoe Bennett (Alcina); Jessica McNeely (Morgana); Rebecca Rock Bradamante; Joseph Galdi (Ruggiero); Bridget Warner (Oberto); Matthew Quarles (Oronte); David Arlen (Melisso); Ensemble - Liz Jones, Elise Leid, Lily Gonglik, Lauren Fetzer, Niamh Kelly, Mary McKenzie, Daniel Doyle, Andrew Gifford, James Baker, Owen Priemon, Ethan Whitney.