Dramaturge

A shrewd politician, a jilted bride disguised as a man, and three upper crust, eager to marry gentlemen make for all kinds of confusion in Handel’s tragicomedy. The libretto drew on texts by the Roman poet Silvio Stampiglia, who prefered writing silly stories and biting comedy to moralising plots and pathos. His work’s got nothing to do with Partenope, the last Siren Odysseus encountered on his Odyssey. In Handel’s opera she’s foundress and Queen of Naples, who’s being courted by three men. The first, shy Armindo, waits a long time before declaring his love for the Queen. The second, Emilio, arrives with his army, ordering the Queen to choose between marriage or war. Partenope beats him in battle, has him arrested, offering him friendship instead.

EPSG:4326

Partenope

Bockenheimer Depot

They meet on an island where they become aware of the power of magic and the magic of power.

Handel gave the world a magic opera, and one of his best, in 1735 - about love, manipulation and real, or pretend, feelings on Alcina’s island. What makes his characters in this moving story so special? Their (erroneous) paths, obsessions, vows of love, highly emotional confusion or their vulnerability?

Zsolt Horpácsy

Dramaturge

Events

Upcoming events

Jun 15, 2025

Alcina · Oper Frankfurt

Past events

Nov 25, 2024

Partenope · Oper Frankfurt

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