George Frideric Handel’s Partenope until 06 December, English National Opera; The Coliseum, London WC2,5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: Clare Colvin.

Photo Credit: Lloyd Winters.

George Frideric Handel’s Partenope, English National Opera; The Coliseum, London WC2,

5☆☆☆☆☆. Review: Clare Colvin.

“Putting on the Style with Handel.”

Christopher Alden’s 2009 Olivier Award-winning production of Handel’s Partenope makes a welcome return to the Coliseum after an international tour and a 2017 revival.  The plot of one of Handel’s few comedies is centered on a love quadrangle, made all the more tangled by gender confusion as the  four suitors declare their love for the flighty socialite Queen Penelope. Added to the fray is Rosmira, in male attire, pursuing her former fiancé Arsace, who has jilted her to join Partenope’s fans.

Alden and designers Andrew Lieberman and Jon Morrell have transferred Handel’s 1730 opera to the stylish mid-1920s and  30s, an era of fantasy, surrealism and lethal cocktails. Former Harewood Artist Nardus Williams is in sublime voice as Partenope - a Queen Bee for her lovelorn drones.  Countertenor Hugh Cutting as Arsace (the first counter tenor incidentally to win the Kathleen Ferrier Award) is excellent as Arsace, well matched by mezzo Katie Bray’s Rosmira. The two other suitors are tenor Ru Charlesworth, in surrealist mask as the outsider Emilio, and rising American countertenor Jake Ingbar as Armindo.

The mood is light, well-oiled by Martinis and bottles of Scotch, as the would-be lovers jostle for Partenope’s affections.  Prat falls and lavatorial jokes abound - such as the struggles of a trapped suitor to escape from the top window of a WC placed center stage.   The arias contain some of Handel’s loveliest tunes.  There was one hitch when Conductor Christian Curnyn fell ill at the end of the first act, but William Cole, the Assistant Conductor, took over smoothly from Act Two.  The opera runs in repertoire until 6 December, do try to see it if you can. 

Conductor: Christian Curnyn; Director: Christopher Alden; Set Designer: Andrew Lieberman; Costume Designer: Jon Morrell; Lighting Designer: Adam Silverman; Revival Lighting Designer: Marc Rosette; Movement Director: Claire Glaskin; Assistant Conductor: William Cole; Production pictures: Lloyd Winters