Ariodante
directed and designed by
John Pascoe
 
 
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'A triumphant success.'
Opera Magazine, December 2007
Ariodante DVD, released by Dynamic, January 2008
photo: courtesy Francis Menotti
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'John Pascoe, through his excellent direction, reflected Handel's graceful music both in his stage direction, scenery and costumes.'
Corriere Della Sera, 20 March 2008
'Quì d'amor nel suo linguaggio'
Prince Ariodante (Ann Hallenberg) muses on Ginevra's beauty.
photo: courtesy Francis Menotti
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'Pascoe's production carries all before it in a wave of understated but totally convincing baroque opera at its best … Bringing the action forward to a time of living memory works well.'
Music Club International, March 2008
'Prendi, prendi da questa mano il pegno di mia fè!'
Prince Ariodante (Ann Hallenberg) and Princess Ginevra (Laura Cherici) exchange vows of love.
photo: courtesy Francis Menotti
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'This double DVD features John Pascoe's beautifully directed and designed production.'
New.classics.co.uk, March 2008
'Del Fato più inumano il barbaro rigore'
Prince Ariodante (Ann Hallenberg) and Princess Ginevra (Laura Cherici) exchange vows of love.
photo: courtesy Francis Menotti
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'This is good: Handel
without histrionics!'
Music Club International, March 2008
Prince Ariodante (Ann Hallenberg) and Princess Ginevra (Laura Cherici) exchange vows of love, while Odoardo (Vittorio Prato) tells them of the king's imminent arrival.
photo: courtesy Francis Menotti
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'A sober and minimalist production that worked perfectly in the intimate Spoleto theatre.'
Arche Musica
Finale Act I: 'Si godete al vostro amor, alme belle, fidi amanti'
Virtue and love are celebrated by the entire court. The Order of the Garter is seen hanging above them.
photo: courtesy Francis Menotti
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'Inexhaustible beauty.'
Antigua, March 2008
Prince Ariodante (Ann Hallenberg) swears to kill his rival for slandering his fiançée, Princess Ginevra.
photo: courtesy Francis Menotti
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'The grey, neo-Gothic atmosphere of this slightly decaying royal palace makes the opera's dramatic flow even more exciting.'
L'Opéra, June 2008
'Ariodante Signor è morto'
The King of Scotland (Carlo Lepore) hears from Odoardo (Vittorio Prato) that Prince Ariodante has been killed. Polinesso (Mary-Ellen Nesi) looks on, unperturbed.
photo: courtesy Francis Menotti
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'In her portrait neckline and upswept hair, Ginevra resembles Princess Margaret, society-page fodder long before Princess Diana.'
Opera News, 2008
'Mi palpita il cuore…'
Princess Ginevra (Laura Cherici) confides in Dalinda (Marta Vandoni Iorio) that her heart is beating too fast, yet she does not know why.
photo: courtesy Francis Menotti
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'Love, betrayal and keeping up appearances form the plot. So director John Pascoe set his production in the glamorous aesthetic of the British monarchy in 1956. The women (at least those playing women) are modelled on Princess Margaret, a worthy emblem of couture.'
Time Out New York, 12 June 2008
'È gioia? o dolore?'
Princess Ginevra (Laura Cherici) muses on her feelings, while refusing assistance from a lady in waiting.
photo: courtesy Francis Menotti
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'Pascoe's design emphasises 1950s glamour in a rich palette of black, white and grey, with chic tartan elements and handsome military uniforms, while cigarettes dangle from elegantly gloved hands.'
Opera News, October 2008
'Figlia, un alma Reale si distingue dall'altre'
The King of Scotland (Carlo Lepore) comes to give Princess Ginevra (Laura Cherici) some tragic news.
photo: courtesy Francis Menotti
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'John Pascoe provided the sets, costumes and production and successfully transferred the action to the mid-twentieth century, marking parallels between Ginevra and Princess Margaret. The two Acts are finely motivated and richly characterised with a fine use of space.'
Opera Magazine, December 2007
'Qual preludio funesto?'
The King (Carlo Lepore) demands that his daughter Princess Ginevra (Laura Cherici) remain calm, while he tries to explain what has happened.
photo: courtesy Francis Menotti
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'The sets are extremely effective. The lighting is very good – unobtrusive for the daylight scenes and suitably atmospheric for the night time, while the scenes Pascoe sets in silhouettes and tableaux are outstanding.'
Music Club International, March 2008
'Mia figlia, coraggio, ti conforta!'
The King of Scotland (Carlo Lepore), having broken the news to Princess Ginevra (Laura Cherici), tries to comfort her, while Dalinda (Marta Vandoni Iorio) kneels at their feet.
photo: courtesy Francis Menotti
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'A magnificent production by Alan Curtis and John Pascoe of
Handel's Ariodante.'
Antigua: Mariano Acero Ruilóp, March 2008
'Sire! chiedo giustizia, e non conforto.'
Lurcanio (Zachary Stains) hands a letter to the King (Carlo Lepore) accusing Ginevra of infidelity – which has led to Ariodante's presumed suicide.
photo: courtesy Francis Menotti
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'John Pascoe has created a sober and classic interpretation. I heartily recommend that you buy this DVD.'
Corriere Della Sera, 20 March 2008
'Oh Dei!'
Dalinda (Marta Vandoni Iorio) realises that she is unwittingly to blame for the false accusation against the Princess.
photo: courtesy Francis Menotti
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'What is incontrovertible is that this is a very, very good DVD of a great Handel opera. If you need to expand your horizon and move into the baroque – or know someone who would like to do so – then you will be hard put to start with anything better.'
Music Club International, March 2008
'Chiedo di non morir coll'odio tuo, perchè moro innocente.'
The unjustly imprisoned Princess Ginevra (Laura Cherici) pleads for a last embrace from her father the King (Carlo Lepore).
photo: courtesy Francis Menotti
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'After the acclaim obtained by his ironic and nude Ercole, the British director John Pascoe came back to Spoleto Festival to direct and design an original version of Handel's Ariodante. Once again he communicated something new.'
L'Opéra, June 2008
'Dover, giustizia, amor m'accendono nel cor desio di Gloria'
Polinesso (Mary Ellen Nesi) brags to the King (Carlo Lepore) that he will champion the Princess. The ladies of the court kneel around them.
photo: courtesy Francis Menotti
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'Pascoe treated the story as a political power struggle, and in the final tableau those left on stage – even the requisite royal hound – all fight for the abandoned crown.'
Opera News, October 2008
Finale: 'Sà trionfar ognor virtute
in ogni cor.'

The entire court reach for the abandoned crown as Ariodante (Ann Hallenburg) and Princess Ginevra (Laura Cherici) decide to abandon court life and its intrigues forever.
photo: courtesy Francis Menotti
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