Overview
- The Royal Opera is presenting Ariodante at Covent Garden for the first time since its brief 1735 outing.
- Reviews praise Emily D’Angelo’s Ariodante, Jacquelyn Stucker’s Ginevra and Elena Villalón’s Dalinda for standout singing.
- Conductor Stefano Montanari earns plaudits for vivid leadership, even stepping from the podium to play organ and violin.
- Jetske Mijnssen’s contemporary, psychologically driven concept—shaped by influences such as The Crown—draws mixed reactions, with the first act called chaotic by some.
- Etienne Pluss’s neo-classical sets, Fabrice Kebour’s lighting and Uta Meenen’s costumes are noted, and Handel’s original ballets are omitted in this staging.