Rinaldo (Glyndebourne 2011)

Glyndebourne celebrates the genius of Handel with its staging of Rinaldo, the work with which he made his sensational London debut – and the first Italian opera specifically created for the British stage. It is given a contemporary new twist through the eyes of Director Robert Carsen. Early music specialist Ottavio Dantone, Music Director of the acclaimed Italian period ensemble Accademia Bizantina conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. The cast is headed by Sonia Prina in the title-role of the heroic crusader, with Anett Fritsch as his beloved Almirena, Brenda Rae as the seductive Saracen sorceress Armida, and Luca Pisaroni (last summers Leporello) as her duplicitous ally Argante, the King of Jerusalem.

Purchase is via the Glyndebourne shop.