La Liberazione di Ruggiero dall’Isola di Alcina (1625)

https://riam-tickets.riam.ie/ticketbooth/shows/1173627434

FRANCESCA CACCINI

Librettist: Ferdinando Saracinelli

This comic opera in four scenes is the first opera written by a woman and was long considered to be the first Italian opera to be performed outside of Italy. Following the myths of the knight Ruggiero from Ariosto's Orlando Furioso, the story centres on a battle between two sorceresses, Alcina and Melissa, over the warrior knight. He is being held captive on an island by the sensualAlcina who has bewitched him into believing he loves her, despite being betrothed to Bradamante, a Christian warrior maiden. Melissa, who has seen Ruggiero’s future and knows that he must marry his betrothed Bradamante, sets out to rescue him. Magic surrounds all; enchanted trees and rocks return to life to sing, sorceresses arrive on dolphins and boats take flight. La liberazione di Ruggiero dall’isola d’Alcina is an enchanting spectacle with a score that is stylistically diverse and forward-looking, with surprising psychological depth and melodic beauty.