Curtis Opera Theatre: Ariodante (Photo Roundup)
Curtis Opera Theatre‘s dazzling, haute couture-inspired production George Frideric Handel’s Ariodante recently closed out the Curtis Opera Theatre’s 2022–23 season at the Perelman Theater in the Kimmel Center. This Baroque masterpiece follows the story of Princess Ginevra, daughter of the King of Scotland, and her fiancé, the noble knight Ariodante. Acclaimed director Omer Ben Seadia led a cast of rising young opera stars accompanied by members of Philadelphia’s baroque orchestra, Tempesta di Mare, under the baton of renowned conductor David Stern.
Check out photo highlights below, showcasing both of the Ariodante casts, courtesy of Ashley E. Smith and Wide Eyed Studios.
- Princess Ginevra (Sarah Fleiss) tells Dalinda (Emilie Kealani) that she has fallen deeply in love with Ariodante.
- The scheming Polinesso (Anastasiia Sidorova, Voice '22) toys with Dalinda's (Emilie Kealani) emotions.
- Soprano Juliette Tacchino as princess Ginevra.
- The King of Scotland (Evan Gray) consoles his daughter Ginevra upon hearing that her fiancée Ariodante has drowned.
- Ginevra (Juliette Tacchino) and Ariodante (Sophia Maekawa) discuss their wedding plans.
- Ariodante's brother Lurcano (Joseph Tancredi) shares his desires for Ginevra's chambermaid Dalinda (Emilie Kealani).
- Soprano Sarah Fleiss as princess Ginevra.
- The King of Scotland (Evan Gray) and Ginevra (Juliette Tacchino) with the court and chorus of 'Ariodante.'
- Ginevra (Sarah Fleiss) and Ariodante (Lucy Baker) share a tender moment together.
- Polinesso (Anastasiia Sidorova) quietly plots to overthrow his rival Ariodante, in pursuit of Ginevra's hand and the crown.
- Princess Ginevra (Juliette Tacchino) confides in her chamber Dalinda (Dalia Medovnikov).
- Ginevra (Sarah Fleiss) is waited upon by her attendants and her chambermaid Dalinda (Emilie Kealani).
- Mezzo-soprano Lucy Baker as Ariodante.
- Dalinda (Dalia Medovnikov) betrayed by Polinesso and hunted by the court handmaids, as the only living witness to his sinister scheme, decries her fate and plots revenge.
- Lucy Baker (Ariodante), Emilie Kealani (Dalinda), and chorus members Dalia Medovnikov, Maya Mor Mitrani, and Juliet Rand.
- Tenor Ben Schaefer as Ariodante's loyal brother Lurcanio.
- Soprano Juliette Tacchino (Ginevra) dreams of her wedding day.
- Ariodante (Sophia Maekawa) sings of his joy and his love for princess Ginevra.
- Soprano Juliette Tacchino as Ginevra.
- Emilie Kealani as Ginevra's chambermaid and confidante Dalinda, dreaming of her own wedding.
- Sarah Fleiss (Ginevra) and Lucy Baker (Ariodante) share their excitement about their upcoming wedding festivities.
- Princess Ginevra is slowly going mad over the loss of her fiancée Ariodante and being disavowed by her father, the King of Scotland.