简介：Ariodantemakesextraordinaryvocalandactingdemands,whichtheEnglishNationalOperabrilliantlyfulfillsinacuriouscombinationofbaroquemusicandpostmodernproductionstyles.Handel'sintenselyemotionalariasandthesurrealstagingcombinetheirenergieswithpowerfulimpact,aidedbysomeimaginativechoreographyandaremarkableEnglishsingingtranslationoftheItaliantext. Thesubjectisthepainfullycomplexloveentanglementsoffivecharacters:pureidealismandragingjealousy,nefariousplotsanddeceptions,unscrupulousexploitation,andopportunism,hopelessnessmountingtothebrinkofinsanity.Theplot,asoftenhappensinbaroqueopera,isriddledwithimprobabilities,exaggerations,andcoincidence,buttheymatternotatall.ItisessentiallynomorethanaframeworkonwhichHandelmountsmusicoftenderpassion,rage,deliriousjoy,hope,resignation--nearlythreehoursofunrestrainedemotionalintensityandvocalbrilliance. AnnMurrayandJoanRodgersareappealingastheyoungloversAriodanteandGinevra,buttheshowisnearlystolenbycountertenorChristopherRobsonasthevillainousPolinesso,whoconvincesAriodantethatGinevrahasbeenunfaithful.LesleyGarrettperformsbrilliantlyasPolinesso'sdupeandaccomplice,Dalinda,andIvorBoltonconductswithafinesenseofbaroquestyle.…