Details

Comical love wars entangle the gods and youths of Ancient Greece in La Calisto, a sparkling light opera with all the raciness of a classic Carry On film. Cavalli's La Calisto is heard for the first time at the Royal Opera House in a production which was originally seen at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich in May 2005. It has all the Baroque hallmarks of eloquent recitatives, sensuous arias and delightful dance rhythms combined with a witty story of comic sexual confusion between gods and mortals. The music alone makes this essential for opera fans, especially with a fine cast of singers under the acclaimed conductor Ivor Bolton, with The Monteverdi Continuo Ensemble and members of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. David Alden’s production is visually arresting in its brilliantly coloured sets and costumes. Already rapturously received in Munich, it comes with a wonderfully modern twist for what Alden describes as a ‘riotous sex-comedy production of a riotous sex comedy’ as the virginal nymph Calisto resists all amorous advances from the god Jove - even when he’s disguised as the chaste goddess Diana! Running time 3 hours with 1 interval. Sung in Italian with English Surtitles.

Cast/Performers

Sally Matthews (La Calisto), Monica Bacelli (Diana / Destinio / First Fury), Veronique Gens (Giunone / L'Eternita), Markus Werba (Mercurio), Umberto Chiummo (Giove), Guy de Mey (Linfea), Ed Lyon (Pane), Dominique Visse (Satirino / Nature / Second Fury), Lawrence Zazzo (Endimione), Clive Bayley (Silvano)

Creatives/Company

Music: Cavalli
Producer: Royal Opera (from the Bayerische Staatsoper)
Director: David Alden
Design: Paul Steinberg
Lighting: Pat Collins
Costume: Buki Shiff
Conductor: Ivor Bolton
Company(s): Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (soloists), Continuo Ensemble (soloists)