Georg Frideric Handel
Opera Alcina, HWV 34

Ref.

HWV 34

German Title

Alcina

English Title

Event

Italian Baroque Opera

Composed

Composed by Georg Frideric Handel in London; Completed score: April 8, 1735
1^st performance: April 16, 1735: London, Covent Garden Theatre (18 performances to 2 July, end of the season)
Revival:
- November 6, 1736: London, Covent Garden Theatre (3 performances to 1737
- June 10 & 21, 1737: London, Covent Garden Theatre
Performed by J.S. Bach & Collegium Musicum in Leipzig, c1735, arias from Alcina:
- Aria (Ruggiero): Mi lusinga il dolce affetto (Mvt. 40, Act II)
- Aria (Alcina): Di, cor mio, quanto t'amai (Mvt. 9, Act I)

Text

After Riccardo Broschi's L'Isola d'Alcina, 1728, from Ludovico Ariosto's, Orlando furioso

Italian Text | Translations: English-3

Scoring

Soloists: 3 Sopranos, 2 Altos, Tenor, Bass
Orchestra: ?

Persons:
Alcina, a sorceress - Soprano
Morgana, her sister - Soprano
Oberto, a boy searching for his father - Soprano
Ruggiero, a knight - Mezzo-soprano
Bradamante, in love with him - Mezzo-soprano or Contralto
Orontë, lover of Morgana - Tenor
Melisso, former tutor of Ruggiero - Bass or Baritone
Astolfo, Oberto's dad - a non-singing part

Score

References

BGA: - | NBA: - | BC: | HG edition: 86 | HHA edition: II/33Z | First Published:

Commentary

AMG | Wikipedia

Music

Music Examples

Discussions

Contents

Complete Recordings
Recordings of Individual Movements

Discussions

Recordings

Complete Recordings

1

G.F. Handel: Alcina

G.F. Handel: Opera Alcina, HWV 34 (abridged)

Ferdinand Leitner

Kölner Rundfunkchor (Cologne Radio Choir) / Cappella Coloniensis

Soprano [Alcina]: Joan Sutherland; Tenor [Ruggiero]: Fritz Wunderlich; Soprano [Morgana]: Jeannette Van Dijck; Mezzo-soprano [Bradamante]: Norma Procter; Tenor [Oronte]: Nicola Monti; Baritone [Melisso]: Thomas Hemsley; Speaker: Paul Hoffmann

Golden Melodram 37002
Verona 27011
Deutsche Grammophone

May 15, 1959

2-CD / TT: 152:01
3-CD / TT: 156:46
2-CD / TT:

Recorded live by Westdeutschen Rundfun [WDR] in Cologne, Germany. Ruggiero role is transposed from mezzo to tenor. 1^st recording of Alcina by J. Sutherland.
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2

Händel: Alcina

G.F. Handel: Opera Alcina, HWV 34 [129:49]

Nicola Rescigno

Fenice Theater Chorus / Fenice Theater Orchestra

Soprano [Alcina]: Joan Sutherland; Mezzo-soprano [Ruggiero]: Monica Sinclair; Soprano [Morgana]: Cecilia Fusco; Mezzo-soprano [Bradamante]: Oralia Dominguez; Tenor [Oronte]: Nicola Monti; Bass [Melisso]: Plinio Clabassi

Bella Voce 107220

Feb 19, 1960

2-CD / TT: 136:28

Recorded at Teatro La Fenice, Venice, Italy. 2^nd recording of Alcina by J. Sutherland.
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3

Handel: Alcina/Giulio Cesare In Egitto - Highlights

G.F. Handel: Opera Alcina, HWV 34 [162:20]

Richard Bonynge

London Symphony Orchestra

Soprano [Alcina]: Joan Sutherland; Mezzo-soprano [Ruggiero]: Teresa Berganza; Soprano [Morgana]: Graziella Sciutti; Mezzo-soprano [Bradamante]: Monica Sinclair; Tenor [Oronte]: Luigi Alva; Bass [Melisso]: Ezio Flagello; Soprano [Oberto]: Mirella Freni
George Malcolm (Harpsichord)

London 433723
Decca 467063
London OSA-1361

Mar-Apr 1962

3-CD / TT: 211:06
3-CD / TT:
3-LP / TT:

Recorded at Walthamstow. 1^st recording of Alcina by R. Bonynge. 3^rd recording of Alcina by J. Sutherland.
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4

Handel: Alcina

G.F. Handel: Opera Alcina, HWV 34

Brian Priestman

Handel Society of New York Orchestra & Chorus

Soprano [Alcina]: Cristina Deutekom; Mezzo-soprano [Ruggiero]: Beverly Wolff; Mezzo-soprano [Bradamante]: Lucia Valentini-Terrani; Tenor [Oronte]: John Stewart; Bass [Melisso]: Paul Plishka

Gala GL 100.584

Mar 26, 1974

2-CD / TT

Recording of part of a performance given in the Carnegie Hall, New York (+La clemenza di Tito +Medea + Turandot - excerpts).

5

Handel: Alcina [P-2]

G.F. Handel: Opera Alcina, HWV 34

Raymond Leppard

Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Soprano [Alcina]: Christiane Eda-Pierre; Mezzo-soprano [Ruggiero]: Teresa Berganza; Soprano [Morgana]: Valerie Masterson; Mezzo-soprano [Bradamante]: Ann Murray; Tenor [Oronte]: Philip Langridge; Bass [Melisso]: François Loup; Soprano [Oberto]: Christiane Château

The Opera Lovers 197801

Jul 1978

2-CD / TT:

Recorded live at the Aix-en-Provence Festival, France.

6

Handel: Alcina

G.F. Handel: Opera Alcina, HWV 34

Richard Bonynge

Choir & Orchestra of the Sydney Opera (Australian Opera)

Soprano [Alcina]: Joan Sutherland; Mezzo-soprano [Ruggiero]: Margreta Elkins; Soprano [Morgana]: Narelle Davidson; Mezzo-soprano [Bradamante]: Lauris Elms; Tenor [Oronte]: Richard Greager; Baas [Melisso]: John Wegner; Soprano [Oberto]: Anne-Maree McDonald

Celestial Audio 112 Premiere Opera 6099
House of Opera 8863

Feb 12, 1983

3-CD / TT:
DVD / TT:
DVD / TT:

Recorded live at the Sydney Opera House, Australia. 2^nd recording of Alcina by R. Bonynge. 4^th recording of Alcina by J. Sutherland.

7

Handel: Alcina [P-1]

G.F. Handel: Opera Alcina, HWV 34 [207:19]
G.F. Handel: Opera Alcina, HWV 34: Appendix 1. Recitative. Vo cercando la bella cagion [0:23]
G.F. Handel: Opera Alcina, HWV 34: Appendix 1. Aria. Bramo di trionfar [6:53]
G.F. Handel: Opera Alcina, HWV 34: Appendix 2. Chorus. Questo è il cielo de' contenti [2:18]

Richard Hickox

Opera Stage Chorus / London Baroque Sinfonia (Orchestra Leader: Simon Standage)

Soprano [Alcina]: Arleen Augér; Mezzo-soprano [Ruggiero]: Della Jones; Soprano [Morgana]: Eiddwen Harrhy; Mezzo-soprano [Bradamante]: Kathleen Kuhlmann; Tenor [Orontë]: Maldwyn Davies; Bass [Melisso]: John Tomlinson; Soprano [Oberto]: Patrizia Kwella
Ian Watson (Harpsichord); Dorothy Linell (Lute); John Heley (Cello)

EMI Classics 58681

Jul 19-23, 1985

3-CD / TT: 216:53

Recorded at No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London, England. 1^st recording of Alcina by A. Augér.
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8

Handel: Alcina

G.F. Handel: Opera Alcina, HWV 34

Richard Divall

Choir & Orchestra of the Sydney Opera

Soprano [Alcina]: Joan Sutherland; Mezzo-soprano [Ruggiero]: Sally-Anne Russell ?; [Morgana]: W. Dixon; Mezzo-soprano [Bradamante]: Elizabeth Campbell; Tenor [Oronte]: Glenn Winslade; Bass [Melisso]: Stephen Bennett; Soprano [Oberto]: Anne-Maree McDonald ?

House of Opera 1810

1987

DVD / TT:

Recorded live at Sydney Opera House, Australia. 5^th recording of Alcina by J. Sutherland.

9

Handel: Alcina

G.F. Handel: Opera Alcina, HWV 34

William Christie

Chœurs du Grand Teâtre Geneve / L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande

Soprano [Alcina]: Arleen Augér; Mezzo-soprano [Ruggiero]: Della Jones; Soprano [Morgana]: Donna Brown; Mezzo-soprano [Bradamante]: Kathleen Kuhlmann; Tenor [Oronte]: Jorge Lopez-Yañez; Bass [Melisso]: Gregory Reinhart; Soprano [Oberto]: Martina Musacchio

House of Opera 206
Lyric Distribution 8034

May 1990

DVD / TT: 176:16
VHS / TT:

Recorded live at the Grand Théâtre de Genève, Switzerland. 1^st recording of Alcina by W. Christie. 2^nd recording of Alcina by A. Augér.

10

Handel: Alcina [P-1]

G.F. Handel: Opera Alcina, HWV 34

Rinaldo Alessandrini

Orchestra of Gran Teatro del Liceo

Soprano [Alcina]: Luba Orgonasova; Mezzo-soprano [Ruggiero]: Vesselina Kasarova; Soprano [Morgana]: Maria José Moreno; Contralto [Bradamante]: Ewa Podleś; Tenor [Oronte]: Francísco Vas; Bass [Melisso]: Felipe Bou

Premiere Opera 1277

Mar 1999

2-CD / TT:

Recorded live at at the Liceu in Barcelona, Spain.

11

Handel: Alcina [3-CD]
Handel Edition: Alcina - Orlando [6-CD]

G.F. Handel: Opera Alcina, HWV 34 [190:20]

William Christie

Les Arts Florissants Choir & Orchestra

Soprano [Alcina]: Renée Fleming; Mezzo-Soprano [Ruggiero]: Susan Graham; Soprano [Morgana]: Natalie Dessay; Mezzo-soprano [Bradamante]: Kathleen Kuhlmann; Tenor [Oronte]: Timothy Robinson; Bass [Melisso]: Laurent Naouri; Soprano [Oberto]: Juanita Lascarro; Tenor: Maurizio Rossano; Bass: Laurent Collobert; Bass: Eric Demarteau; Tenor: Michael Loughlin-Smith

Erato 80233
Warner Classics 69653
House of Opera 132
Premiere Opera 6396

Jun 10-13, 1999

3-CD / TT: 190:20
6-CD / TT:
DVD / TT:
DVD / TT:

Recorded live at Paris Opera (Palais Garnier), France. 2^nd recording of Alcina by W. Christie.
Buy this album at:
3-CD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
Highlights CD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
Highlights Music Download: Amazon.co.uk
6-CD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de

12

G.F. Händel: Alcina

G.F. Handel: Opera Alcina, HWV 34

Alan Hacker

Staatsorchester Stuttgart (or Württembergische Staatsoper)

Soprano [Alcina]: Catherine Naglestad; Mezzo-soprano [Ruggiero]: Alice Coote; Soprano [Morgana]: Catriona Smith; Mezzo-soprano [Bradamante]: Helene Schneiderman; Tenor [Oronte]: Rolf Romei; Bass [Melisso]: Michael Ebbecke; Soprano [Oberto]: Claudia Mahnke; Actor [Astolfo]: Heinz Gerger

ArtHaus 100338

1999

DVD / TT: 159:00

Recorded live at Staatsoper Stuttgart, Germany.
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13

Händel: Alcina [P-3]

G.F. Handel: Opera Alcina, HWV 34

Nicholas McGegan

Opernkammerchor der Hochschule für Musik and Theater (Hannover) / Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra (San Francisco)

Soprano [Alcina]: Yvonne Kenny; Mezzo-soprano [Ruggiero]: Wilke te Brummelstroete; Soprano [Morgana]: Cyndia Sieden; Contralto [Bradamante]: Ewa Wolak; Tenor [Oronte]: Iain Paton; Bass [Melisso]: Andrew Foster-Williams; Soprano [Oberto]: Susanne Rydén

Göttingen Handel Society

2002

CD, VHS / TT:

Recoded at Göttingen Händel Festival, Germany.

14

Handel: Alcina

G.F. Handel: Opera Alcina, HWV 34

Daniel Beckwith

Orchestra of the New York City Opera

Soprano [Alcina]: Christine Goerke; Mezzo-soprano [Ruggiero]: Katherine Goeldner; Soprano [Morgana]: Lauren Skuce; Mezzo-soprano [Bradamante]: Jennifer Dudley; Tenor [Oronte]: Keith Jameson; Bass [Melisso]: Joshua Winograde

Premiere Opera 1246

Sep 24, 2003

2-CD / TT:

Recorded live at the New York City Opera, NY, USA.

15

G.F. Händel: Alcina [P-1]

G.F. Handel: Opera Alcina, HWV 34

Ivor Bolton (Conductor, Harpsichord)

Bayerisches Staatsorchester

Soprano [Alcina]: Anja Harteros; Mezzo-soprano [Ruggiero]: Vesselina Kasarova; Soprano [Morgana]: Veronica Cangemi; Mezzo-soprano [Bradamante]: Sonia Prina; Tenor [Oronte]: John Mark Ainsley; Bass [Melisso]: Christopher Purves; Soprano [Oberto]: Deborah York
Axel Wolf (Theorbo); Markus Mollenbeck (Violoncello); Robert Howarth (Harpsichord)

Farao Classics 108080

Jul 2005

3-SACD / TT: 193:33

Recorded at Prinzregentheater, Munich, Germany.
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16

Handel: Alcina [P-1]

G.F. Handel: Opera Alcina, HWV 34, edited by Alan Curtis

Alan Curtis

Il Complesso Barocco

Mezzo-soprano [Alcina]: Joyce DiDonato; Mezzo-soprano [Ruggiero]: Maite Beaumont; Soprano [Morgana]: Karina Gauvin; Contralto [Bradamante]: Sonia Prina; Tenor [Oronte]: Kobie van Rensburg; Bass [Melisso]: Vito Priante; Soprano [Oberto]: Laura Cherici; Soprano: Marina Bartoli

Archiv Produktion 477737

Sep 2007

3-CD / TT: 202:43

Recorded at Chiesa di Sant' Agostino, Tuscania, near. Viterbo, Italy.
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Music Download: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de

M-1

Graham Pushee: Handel Arias

G.F. Handel: Opera Alcina, HWV 34: Aria (Ruggiero) Mi lusinga il dolce affetto [5:58]

Paul Dyer

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra

Counter-tenor: Graham Pushee

ABC Classics 770014

Aug 1-6, 1994

CD / TT: 65:35

Recorded at Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Ultimo, Sydney, Australia.
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M-2

Xenia Meijer: Arias by Purcell, Handel, Mozart

G.F. Handel: Opera Alcina, HWV 34: Aria (Ruggiero) Mi lusinga il dolce affetto [6:21]

Jac van Steen

Neues Berliner Kammerorchester (New Berlin Chamber Orchestra)

Mezzo-soprano: Xenia Meijer

Berlin Classics 11362

Oct 7-12, 1996

CD / TT: 62:43

Recorded at Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Berlin-Dahlem, Germany.
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The list of recordings was compiled by Aryeh Oron (November 2008 - October 2009)

Georg Frideric Handel: Short Biography | Opera Alcina, HWV 34 | Brockes Passion, HWV 48 | Cantata Armida Abbandonata, HWV 105 | Georg Friedrich Händel & Bach