Details

Written in 1732, the hero Orlando is torn between his desire to do noble deeds and his pursuit of love. Although rebuked by the sorcerer Zoroastro for giving in to his romantic urges, Orlando nonetheless decides that love can bring its own glory, and to that end he pursues Angelica. But she has fallen for Medoro and he with her - which is not good news for Angelica's rival, the shepherdess Dorinda. The untangling of these conflicting passions through threats, magic, deceit, revelations and no little heart-searching inspired Handel to some of his most original operatic work, and Orlando's psychological focus fused with fantasy lends a particular contemporary appeal.

Cast/Performers

Lawrence Zazzo (Orlando), Rebecca Evans (Angelica), Robin Blaze (Medoro except 21 Oct), Fflur Wyn (Dorinda), Daniel Grice (Zoroastro)

Creatives/Company

Music: Handel
Company: Welsh National Opera
Conductor: Rinaldo Alessandrini (until 28 October)
Director(s): Harry Fehr, Kally Lloyd-Jones (associate director)
Design(s): Yannis Thavoris, Andrzej Goulding (video)
Lighting: Anna Watson