Envy, Greed, Lust, Gender Bending – It’s all there! By Seán Martinfield Sentinel Fine Arts Critic Photo by Lynn Imanaka SUSAN GRAHAM , a Merola Opera Program alumna, returns to San Francisco Opera in the virtuosic title role of George Frideric Handel’s rediscovered tour de force, ARIODANTE . A premiere for SAN FRANCISCO OPERA , this early 18th Century musical tale of jealousy, betrayal and ultimate triumph is conducted by Houston Grand Opera Music Director Patrick Summers. ARIODANTE (1735), By George Frideric Handel. Production photos by Terrence McCarthy. Joining Ms Graham as “Ariodante” (an ultimate trouser-role) is soprano Ruth Ann Swenson, starring as the hero’s betrothed, “Ginevra”. Making her Company debut as Ginevra’s attendant “Dalinda” – soprano Veronica Cangemi. A native of Mendoza, Argentina, this season will find her in Paris as “Fiordiligi” (Così fan tutte), in Japan and Buenos Aires as “Micaëla” (Carmen), and at the Vienna State Opera as “Morgana” in a new production of ALCINA . RUTH ANN SWENSON, Soprano – Still looking good, as Ginevra, Princess of Scotland, betrothed to Ariodante. Contralto Sonia Prina marks her United States opera debut as the scheming Duke of Albany, “Polinesso”. 273 years ago, the role was done by a fashionable castrato. Ms Prina is featured in DVD recordings of ASCANIO IN ALBA (Salzburg Festival) and LA PIETRA DEL PARAGONE (Théâtre du Châtelet). The cast also features the Company debut of tenor ...
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Envy, Greed, Lust, Gender Bending – It’s all there! By Seán Martinfield Sentinel Fine Arts Critic Photo by Lynn Imanaka SUSAN GRAHAM , a Merola Opera Program alumna, returns to San Francisco Opera in the virtuosic title role of George Frideric Handel’s rediscovered tour de force, ARIODANTE . A premiere for SAN FRANCISCO OPERA , this early 18th Century musical tale of jealousy, betrayal and ultimate triumph is conducted by Houston Grand Opera Music Director Patrick Summers. ARIODANTE (1735), By George Frideric Handel. Production photos by Terrence McCarthy. Joining Ms Graham as “Ariodante” (an ultimate trouser-role) is soprano Ruth Ann Swenson, starring as the hero’s betrothed, “Ginevra”. Making her Company debut as Ginevra’s attendant “Dalinda” – soprano Veronica Cangemi. A native of Mendoza, Argentina, this season will find her in Paris as “Fiordiligi” (Così fan tutte), in Japan and Buenos Aires as “Micaëla” (Carmen), and at the Vienna State Opera as “Morgana” in a new production of ALCINA . RUTH ANN SWENSON, Soprano – Still looking good, as Ginevra, Princess of Scotland, betrothed to Ariodante. Contralto Sonia Prina marks her United States opera debut as the scheming Duke of Albany, “Polinesso”. 273 years ago, the role was done by a fashionable castrato. Ms Prina is featured in DVD recordings of ASCANIO IN ALBA (Salzburg Festival) and LA PIETRA DEL PARAGONE (Théâtre du Châtelet). The cast also features the Company debut of tenor ...