Händel’s ‘Agrippina’ opens Barcelona Liceu opera theatre’s season

Georg Friedrich Händel’s opera ‘Agrippina’ is opening this Friday the season of Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu. In addition, it is the first time ‘Agripina’ will be performed at the Catalan opera house, 300 years after it premiered at the Teatro San Giovanni Grisostomo in Venice. This contemporary staging of Händel’s first great opera, with stage direction by David McVicar, is led by Baroque specialist Conductor Harry Bicket.  Mezzo soprano Susan Connolly, soprano Danielle de Niese, and countertenor David Daniels are the lead singers. ‘Agrippina’ will be performed in the Catalan capital until the 29th November.

Liceu's performance of Händel's 'Agrippina' (by P. Francesch)
Liceu's performance of Händel's 'Agrippina' (by P. Francesch) / ACN

ACN

November 15, 2013 09:21 PM

Barcelona (ACN).- Barcelona’s famous Opera House ‘Gran Teatre del Liceu’ is launching its 2013-2014 season with Händel’s first great opera ‘Agrippina’, with David McVicar as Stage Director and Baroque specialist Harry Bicket as Musical Director. The opera cast is led by British mezzo soprano Susan Connolly, Australian-born American soprano Danielle de Niese and American countertenor David Daniels. This contemporary staging of Händel’s opera will be performed for the very first time at Barcelona’s Liceu, over 300 years after it premiered at the Teatro San Giovanni Grisostomo in Venice, on the 26th of December 1709. The Barcelona audience can rediscover this opera in 3 acts on the 16th, the 18th, the 21st, the 24th, the 26th and the 29th of November.


‘Agrippina’, according to the Liceu Opera House, is “a funny satire depicting the various tools to reach and exercise powers, such as sex, corruption, revenge, and manipulation”. While this new staging is respectful of Georg Friedrich Händel’s original work, its aesthetics are more contemporary, thereby giving the opera a more modern feel and making it more relatable.  

‘Agrippina’ has been co-produced by the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie (Brussels), the Théâtre des Champs Elysees (Paris) and the Symphony Orchestra of the Gran Teatre del Liceu.