Due to the lockdown announced for England, it is with sadness that we must cancel all scheduled performances of Falstaff and Ariodante for live audiences. Due to the smaller artistic forces required, we are pleased to be able to perform Ariodante as a live-stream concert. Further details will be announced along with a host of other broadcast and streaming highlights throughout November.  Until then, we would like to thank all our Friends, patrons and audiences for their ongoing support during this challenging time.

Continuing its celebration of the operas Handel wrote for Covent Garden, The Royal Opera presents Ariodante in concert. Ariodante was the first opera written by Handel for the first theatre on the current Royal Opera House site in 1735 and has not been performed at Covent Garden since. These concert performances bring together singers Paula Murrihy, Chen Reiss, Gerald Finley, Sophie Bevan, Iestyn Davies, Ed Lyon and Thando Mjandana with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House conducted by Baroque music specialist Christian Curnyn.

Set in medieval Scotland and based on a sixteenth-century epic poem, the same source as Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, Ariodante tells the story of a prince, in love with the daughter of the King, who is driven to despair by a false accusation of his loved one’s infidelity and finally reunited with her when the treachery is revealed.

The opera contains some of Handel’s most beautiful music with wonderful numbers for the title role including the haunting scena ‘E vivo ancora?... Scherza infida’ (Am I still living?... Play, treacherous woman…) and the bravura aria ‘Dopo notte’.  

Buying tickets

According to current government guidelines, you must only attend performances with individuals from your household or support bubble. 

Seats are being allocated to ensure safe social distancing for all audience members. The maximum amount of seats that can be purchased is two. There are a limited amount of single seats available. Seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Although every effort has been made to ensure the best views, some seats may be subject to restricted viewing.

You can choose an area of the auditorium in which to sit and a pricing zone – we will then send you your seat number(s) with your confirmation email. No paper tickets will be issued for this event. After receiving your confirmation email you will receive an e-ticket with your seat number. You can also find your ticket within the My Account area.

Conductor Christian Curnyn

Cast

Ginevra Chen Reiss

King of Scotland Gerald Finley

Ariodante Paula Murrihy

Dalinda Sophie Bevan

Lurcanio Ed Lyon

Polinesso Iestyn Davies

Odoardo Thando Mjandana