Irish National Opera (INO) continues its award-winning exploration of Vivaldi’s operas with a fast and furious new production of L’Olimpiade, co-produced with the Royal Opera House, London and Nouvel Opéra Fribourg. Vivaldi’s fiery opera will tour nationally before travelling to London and Switzerland. The first performance of L’Olimpiade is in Siamsa Tíre Tralee on Saturday 20th April followed by the performances in The Everyman on April 23rd followed by Waterford, Limerick, Letterkenny, Navan, and Dún Laoghaire.
Set against the backdrop of the ancient Olympic games, L’Olimpiade explores themes of love, rivalry, and sacrifice, offering singers super-human acrobatic challenges that showcase the composer’s unparalleled musical prowess. Fergus Sheil, artistic director of INO, remarks, “Vivaldi’s operas push the boundaries of vocal artistry, and L’Olimpiade is no exception. It’s a thrilling journey through passion and perseverance.”
The stellar cast features an array of Irish and international talent, including mezzo-soprano Gemma Ní Bhriain (Megacle), countertenor Meili Li (Licida), and mezzo-soprano Alexandra Urquiola (Aristea), mezzo-soprano Sarah Richmond (Argene), baritone Chuma Sijeqa (Clistene), soprano Rachel Redmond (Aminta) and baritone Seán Boylan (Alcandro).
L’Olimpiade is the third Vivaldi opera from the Irish National Opera, and follows on from the resounding success of Griselda in 2019, and Bajazet in 2022 (a co-production with the Royal Opera House) for which Peter Whelan and the Irish Baroque Orchestra won an Olivier Award for outstanding achievement in opera.
Whelan says “Vivaldi draws on primary colours, with heart-on-sleeve emotions – his work is very special and really comes alive, especially in live performance. Vivaldi grabs you by the heart! L’Olimpiade has a love interest, family complications, intrigues, murders… you name it! It has a complex story, but the big themes are love and jealousy, and family pride versus love. Strong hints of Romeo and Juliet!”
L’Olimpiade is directed by Daisy Evans, with set and costume design by Molly O’Cathain and lighting design by Jake Wiltshire, and features the Irish Baroque Orchestra.
ANTONIO VIVALDI
L’OLIMPIADE
Sung in Italian with English surtitles
Running time 3 hours with interval
Co-production with Royal Opera House, London, and Nouvel Opéra Fribourg
CAST
Megacle
Licida
Aristea
Argene
Clistene
Aminta
Alcandro
CREATIVE TEAM
Conductor
Director
Set & Costume Designer Molly O’Cathain
Lighting Designer Jake Wiltshire
Irish Baroque Orchestra
The Everyman
Tuesday 23rd April 2024
Time 8pm
Tickets €30/€27
Cork The Everyman