The choreographer, Blanca Li will direct an adaptation of Francesca Caccini’s comic opera in four scenes. This performance in Italian with English subtitles can be seen on 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9 June at the Teatro Real, in which Li is accompanied by Aarón Zapico in the musical arrangements and the ancient music trio, Forma Antiqva.
Premièred in 1625, this is a significant piece in the history of opera, as it was one of the first to be written by a woman, revealing Francesca Caccini’s creative talent of at a time when women had limited access to the world of musical composition.
It is based on an episode from the epic poem Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto, in which Ruggiero, a brave knight, finds himself trapped on the island by Alcina, a sorceress who has captivated him with her magical powers. Alcina retains him in order to keep him away from battle and from the love of Bradamante, a female warrior who is set to be his wife. After discovering his whereabouts, Bradamante and others attempt to free Ruggiero from Alcina's influence and bring him back to the real world.
Born in Granada in 1964, Blanca María Gutiérrez Ortiz, alter ego of Blanca Li, is a dancer whose style ranges from flamenco to hip hop, as well as classical ballet and Baroque dance. In 1993, she settled in Paris (France) and set up her own contemporary dance company, with which she has designed productions, such as Solstice, Goddesses & Demonesses, Le Bal de Paris or Robot!
She has won awards, such as the Max Award for Best Choreography in 2008 for Poet in New York or the "public off" Award for Best Dance Performance at the Avignon Off Festival in 1993 for Nana et Lila. She was also awarded the Knight of the Legion of Honour of the French Republic medal in 2014 and the Gold Medal for Merit in Fine Arts from the Spanish government in 2009.
Founded in 1998 in Langreo (Asturias), Forma Antiqva is an ancient music ensemble made up of the Zapico brothers: the harpsichord player, Aaron, the baroque guitarist, Pablo, and the theorbist, Daniel. Using historical criteria and ancient instruments, the band has 14 albums under its belt and has become a European reference in this sound genre.
Artistic File:
- Musical Director - Aarón Zapico
- Stage Management - Blanca Li
Cast:
- Melissa - Vivica Genaux
- Alcina - Lidia Vinyes-Curtis
- Mermaid / Messenger / Sad Lady - Jone Martínez
- Ruggiero - Sebastià Peris
- Astolfo / Shepherd in love - Francisco Fernández-Rueda
- Forma Antiqva
- Soloists of the Teatro Real Resident Orchestra
Programme:
Comedy in music in a prologue and four scenes
- Music by Francesca Caccini (1587-ca 1641)
- Premièred at the Villa Poggia Imperiale in Florence on 3 February 1625
- Première in the Teatro Real season
- New production by the Teatro Real, in co-production with Teatros del Canal
Language: Italian with Spanish subtitles
