Orlando Furioso by Vivaldi at the Greek National Opera 10 -19 Jan 2003 In the marvellous baroque opera Orlando Furioso by Antonio Vivaldi, witchcraft, fantasy, and love get into a tangle when Angelica, Medoro and Orlando are destined to meet along at the enchanted island of the sorceress Alcina. Five unique performances are given -for the first time in Greece- at the Greek National Opera. Orlando furioso occupies a central and very significant place among Vivaldi's works. Not only does the whole score of this opera demonstrate its composer's full, creative maturity, but its outstanding features are also an extraordinary musical beauty, an attractive recitative line, and a balance thus created between the various parts of the dramatic and musical whole. Orlando Furioso was the name of an earlier opera with music by G. A. Ristori and a libretto by Grazio Braccioli. Vivaldi made modifications to that opera in 1714, and in 1727 wrote completely new music to Braccioli's libretto. The story is based on Ludovico Ariosto's poem under the same title, Orlando Furioso. Synopsis Antonio Vivaldi's opera takes place on the sorceress Alcina's enchanted island. Although old and ugly, Alcina has the magical power to make herself appear beautiful and to bewitch courtiers who set foot in her realm. She has tried to make her power eternal by gaining possession of the invincible guard Arontes under the statue of the wizard in the Temple of Infernal Hecate. Brought to the island by fate, the other main characters of the opera, namely the beautiful Angelica, her young Saracen lover, Medoro, and the jealous Orlando -a Christian knight and Charlemagne's nephew, who is in love with Angelica- are entwined in an intriguing love story of furious passion and despair. The ID of the performance Conductor: Vassilis Christopoulos Director: Maria Yiparaki Set and Costumes design: Francesco Cito Choreography: Chrissiida Liatziviri Light Designer: Filippos Koutsaftis Cast: Marita Paparizou (Orlando), Mata Katsouli (Angelica), Margarita Singeniotou (Medoro), Mary Helen Nezi (Bradamante), Nikos Spanos (Ruggiero), Marina Fideli (Alcina) and others. Reservation: +30-210-3612461 Communication: +30-210-3614433, 3600697 Author : Greek Ministry of Culture