Alcina by Händel, conducted by Philippe Jaroussky

One of Handel’s most enchanting fantasy-themed operas, conducted by Philippe Jaroussky

Philippe Jaroussky, one of the most charismatic figures in today’s vocal scene, returns to the Palau de la Música Catalana as conductor, leading his ensemble Artaserse —a group he founded himself, now firmly established as a leading reference in Baroque performance. On this occasion, he presents a concert version of Händel’s Alcina, a fascinating opera full of contrasts, where magic and desire intertwine with deception and loss. To bring this world to life, Jaroussky has assembled an exceptional cast led by two rising stars of the new generation: Carlo Vistoli and Kathryn Lewek. A refined and nuanced dramatic reading by an artist who knows the Palau’s stage like few others and knows how to make it resonate.

The opera takes place on a magical island ruled by the sorceress Alcina, who seduces knights and transforms them into animals, stones, or plants. Ruggiero (Carlo Vistoli), a brave knight, falls under her spell, while his fiancée, Bradamante (Katarina Bradić), pursues him to save him. With a magic ring and the threat of losing her powers, Alcina sees her magic crumble as true love breaks her enchantments, undoing all the transformations and revealing the fleeting power of illusion.