Vocal Scenes

Cupid – the Roman goddess of love, a figure of contradictions, a symbol of conflict and desire – will guide you through an evening of baroque scenes that capture the power, beauty and unpredictability of love and desire.

 

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Cavalli La Calisto

Prologue

 

Natura

Alice Hermand

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L’Eternità

Hannah Hughes

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Il Destino

Sinéad Carroll

 

In this scene: Natura and L'Eternità celebrate with a congregation of their followers, those mortals who have climbed the path to immortality and become immortalised in the sky as stars forever. Il Destino insists that the name of Calisto will be added to the list, and at the end of the scene L'Eternità begins to commit Calisto to the stars.

 

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Purcell King Arthur

Act 3, Scene 2

 

Cold Genius

Jan-Magnar Gard 

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Cupid

Laura West

 

Overview: This is a masque scene created by the character Osmond to try to win the love of Emmeline.

 

In this scene: Cupid awakes the Cold Genius from his freezing slumbers, she then awakes a chorus of cold people, who unfreeze, come to life and begin to revel and party together under Cupid’s instructions.

 

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Cesti Il Tito

Act 2, Scene 16

 

Domiziano

Roei Shafrir

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Berenice

Kristina Ammattil

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Ninfo

Harun Tekin

 

Overview: Domiziano is jealous of his brother the Emperor Tito, because of his amorous advances to the chaste Hebrew Princess Berenice.

 

In this scene: Domiziano attempts to overcome Berenice in order to secure her love and faithfulness, but Berenice resists him and his attempts are entirely thwarted when Ninfo arrives, telling him to flee as an army is coming.

 

 

Jacquet de la Guerre Céphale et Procris

Act 1, Scene 1 & 2

 

Borée

Cuan Durkin

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Procris

Kristina Ammattil

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Dorine

Aldi Ho  

 

Overview: Set in Athens, Céphale (a warrior) and Procris (the daughter of the King of Athens) are in love but are yet to be married. Borée (Prince of Thrace) is Céphale's rival for Procris’ hand, and the gods help him to press his claim.

 

In this scene: Borée tries to win the affections of Procris – she remains unmoved by his advances, and rejects them, claiming that she is not interested in anybody at all. He however claims that she is in love with Céphale and threatens her, he leaves in frustration. Dorine witnesses his threat, and the two women talk about his jealousy. Procris then confesses her love for Céphale to Dorine and her fears for the future.

 

 

Rameau Hippolyte et Aricie

Act 1, Scene 2

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Hippolyte

Harun Tekin

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Aricie

Mengyixuan Qi

 

Overview: Hippolyte (Prince of Athens and son of Theseus) is in love with the beautiful Aricie. But Aricie has devoted herself to the goddess Diana at her father’s command and sworn herself to chastity.

 

In this scene: Hippolyte approaches Aricie, where she is praying, close to the temple of Diana. Throughout the scene she tries to reject his advances, but in the end, she can’t resist the power and pull of the love that they feel for each other.

 

 

Handel Ariodante

Act 1, Scene 5

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Ariodante

Elizabeth Mwale

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Ginevra

Georgia Tolson

 

Il Re di Scozia

Jan-Magnar Gard   

 

Overview: Medieval Scotland. Ginevra (daughter of the King) is in love with and betrothed to Prince Ariodante.

 

In this scene: Ariodante sings of how all nature speaks to him of love. Ginevra joins him and they pledge their love to each other. The King arrives and gives the lovers his blessing. Ginevra overjoyed, prepares for and imagines her forthcoming nuptials.

 

 

Handel Almira, Königin von Castilien

Act 1 Scene 10

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Edilia

Alice Hermand

  

Osman

Harun Tekin

 

Bellante

Aldi Ho

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Consalvo

Jan-Magnar Gard

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Fernando

Cuan Durkin    

 

Overview: Princess Almira has inherited the throne from her father. Her guardian Consalvo claims that her father said that Almira should marry his son Osman. Meanwhile Osman has been in a relationship with Edilia, but Osman begins to pursue Almira on his father’s advice. Edilia gets wind of the fact that her sweetheart Osman is now keen to marry Almira.

 

In this scene: Edilia has a passionate argument with Osman and throws a jealous fit, embarrassing Osman in front of the rest of the court. Meanwhile, Bellante sings of her unrequited love for Osman.

 

 

Handel Orlando

Act 3, Scene 2

 

Dorinda

Hannah Hughes

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Orlando

Kelan Lynch

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Medoro

Sinéad Carroll

 

Overview: Orlando is in love with Angelica but she is in love with Medoro. Orlando is being driven insane by jealousy and anger. Dorinda a local woman, has let Medoro and Angelica stay at her hut.

 

In this scene: Medoro has returned to Dorinda's hut to seek refuge. He tells her he would love her if he could, but his heart is not his to give. When Medoro leaves Dorinda is sad, but still hopeful. Orlando appears and addressing Dorinda as Venus, declares his love for her. Dorinda slowly realises that Orlando is out of his senses, and this is even more apparent when he confuses her with a male enemy he had fought with previously. He becomes more and more unhinged as the scene progresses.