2019-20 Season

Partenope

by George Frideric Handel

Overview

Dates

June 12, 18, 21, 23, 27, 2020

Language

Sung in Italian with English supertitles

Conductor

Christopher Moulds

Music

George Frideric Handel

Mistaken identities reveal deep truths about love and war in Handel's hilarious Baroque comedy. Breakout soprano Louise Adler stars as Partenope, a 1920s Paris socialite besieged by a colorful cast of suitors including internationally renowned countertenors Franco Fagioli and Jakub Józef Orlińksi.

Be there when Christopher Alden's Olivier Award-winning production takes the Opera House by storm in a limited, 5-performance-only engagement!

The Buzz

“Surrender to [Partenope’s] buoyant charms, and you may soon find your senses ravished and your funny bone delicately tickled.”

—San Francisco Chronicle

“Louise Alder’s sparkling soprano has great poise and assurance and her warm reception was richly deserved.”

—The Guardian

“Fagioli is one of today's great vocal technicians, and the ease and almost superhuman agility with which he attacks some of the big bravura numbers are simply staggering.”

—The Guardian

Synopsis

A battle of the sexes ensues between a sophisticated society woman and the group of suitors who desire her.

Read Complete Synopsis

Partenope asks for Apollo’s blessing. Rosmira enters, disguised as a man, and introduces herself as Eurimene. Despite the disguise, Arsace recognizes her as his former betrothed; before they can talk, Ormonte announces that Emilio wants to meet Partenope. Armindo conﬁdes in Eurimene that he loves Partenope; she, however, is in love with Arsace. Rosmira scolds Arsace for abandoning her; he begs her forgiveness and she insists that he must not reveal her true identity. Armindo admits to Partenope that he loves her. When Eurimene interrupts Partenope and Arsace, “he” declares himself to be yet another of Partenope’s suitors. Partenope continues to assert her devotion to Arsace. Emilio oﬀers Partenope marriage; when she refuses, he threatens her. She asks Arsace to lead her forces against Emilio, and this provokes jealousy among the other suitors. Armindo is perturbed by Eurimene’s feelings for Partenope, but Eurimene reassures him that his aﬀections lie elsewhere.
Partenope’s and Emilio’s forces engage, and Emilio is captured by Arsace. Eurimene claims all credit for Emilio’s capture and Arsace says nothing to the contrary. When Emilio contradicts Eurimene’s assertion, Eurimene challenges Arsace to a duel to prove his honor. Arsace attempts to pacify Eurimene, whose feelings are torn between love and rage. Armindo declares his love for Partenope; she, however, continues to want only Arsace. Alone together, Rosmira and Arsace struggle with conﬂicting emotions.
Eurimene tells Partenope that “he” challenged Arsace not for himself but on behalf of a woman—Rosmira— whom Arsace had promised to marry and then abandoned. When Arsace admits the allegation is true, Partenope rejects him and gives hope to Armindo. Emilio oﬀers Arsace his support in the forthcoming duel. Arsace asks for Rosmira’s forgiveness. When Partenope discovers them together, Rosmira manages to conceal her true identity. Both women scorn Arsace, who rails at the tyranny of love. The contestants are given their weapons for the duel. When Arsace suddenly demands that he and Eurimene must ﬁght bare-chested, Eurimene is placed in a dilemma and chooses to reveal “his” true identity. The lovers change partners: Partenope takes Armindo, and Rosmira and Arsace are reunited.