Rossini: Armida

Story

Synopsis

It is a rare opera indeed that calls for one soprano diva and no fewer than six tenors. Mary Zimmerman’s fanciful production of Rossini’s drama, designed by Richard Hudson and with choreography by Graciela Daniele, provides the perfect setting for superstar Renée Fleming’s captivating performance of the title role. A beautiful but evil sorceress in the times of the Crusades, Armida sets out to regain the love of the Frankish knight Rinaldo (Lawrence Brownlee) by putting her magical spells on him. She at first succeeds to draw him into her web of sorcery, but ultimately divine intervention—and his fellow soldiers—free Rinaldo from his enchantment—much to the vengeful fury of Armida and her demons.

Directors

Gary Halvorson, Mary Zimmerman

Writers

Giovanni Schmidt

Language

Italian

Country

United States of America

Release date

1 May 2010

Ensemble

Cast

• 

  Renée Fleming

  Armida

• Lawrence Brownlee

  Rinaldo

• 

  John Osborn

  Goffredo

• 

  Barry Banks

  Gernando / Carlo

• Kobie van Rensburg

  Ubaldo

• Yeghishe Manucharyan

  Eustazio

• 

  Keith Miller

  Astarotte

• Peter Volpe

  Idraote

• Teele Ude

  Love

• Isaac Scranton

  Revenge

• Aaron Loux

  Ballet Rinaldo

• 

  Philip Willingham

  Devil