Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music will present Handel’s “Alcina,” a baroque masterpiece of magic, deception and passion, in Brockman Hall for Opera Nov. 1 and 3. Under the direction of Crystal Manich and conducted by Louis Lohraseb, this production promises an engaging journey into a world of sorcery and timeless music, featuring some of Handel’s most exquisite arias.
“‘Alcina’ is my favorite Handel opera by far,” said Joshua Winograde, the Shepherd School’s director of opera studies. “It is outside of any kind of known historical time or place, so it allows you to really conceive of a world in which there is sorcery, magic, devotion and passion, but it really doesn’t dictate a specific century or location other than your imagination.”
Winograde added that this production aims to transport the audience into a realm where “the lead character is magical and the island that you’ve arrived at is enchanted and not what it appears to be.”
“We are creating a fantastical world that emphasizes the fact that there are sorcerers, nobility and warriors,” Winograde said, noting that the set design features a single rotating unit, enabling the creation of diverse scenes and perspectives throughout the nearly three-hour performance. “That gives us an opportunity to really play with visuals in a unique way that unfolds over the course of the opera, allowing the audience to essentially never know what’s about to happen.”
The choice of “Alcina” was driven by a focus on developing the talents of the Shepherd School’s singers, who are tackling the Italian language and building characters from scratch. That was also a priority as Winograde selected the creative team.
“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Louis and Crystal for a long time,” Winograde said. “It was a real pleasure for me to be able to bring them in knowing that, in addition to having very strong artistic visions and a thorough knowledge of this repertoire, they also both share a real passion for helping young talent develop their dramatic and musical skills.”
Manich, an Emmy-nominated, versatile Latiné director and writer whose works for stage, film and circus have been seen across the United States, Europe, Argentina and Australia, said she is thrilled to bring “Alcina” to life.
“This production of ‘Alcina’ focuses on female power, the allure of magic and the complexities of human desire,” Manich said. “We are diving deep into the characters’ emotions within the enchanting and transformative nature of the environment that surrounds them, a ruse created through Alcina’s artistry.”
Lohraseb, who received the prestigious Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award in 2022 and has served as guest conductor at the Los Angeles Opera, said he is looking forward to leading the talented musicians of the Shepherd School Chamber Orchestra through Handel’s intricate score.
“Handel’s ‘Alcina’ is an opera which could not be better suited to Rice University, a nexus where immense talent onstage converges with stunning virtuosity of the orchestral musicians, all of which presented in a theater which is the ideal venue,” Lohraseb said. “It has been a joy and honor to facilitate the fusion of these exceptional elements over this past month, and I eagerly await the opening of this exciting production to the public.”
“Alcina” will be performed in Italian with English surtitles, offering audiences a fully immersive experience. The opera, which lasts approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes, includes a 20-minute intermission. Prior to each performance, ticket holders are invited to the Tudor Patrons’ Lounge for a preshow discussion with Lohraseb, who will offer deeper insights into the opera. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased here. Discounts are available to Rice alumni and current Rice faculty, staff and students.