Rodelinda

CAPA Theater

January 27 & 30; February 1
Various times

It’s been 21 years since George Frideric Handel’s Rodelinda has been produced locally by the Pittsburgh Opera. Now a brand new production of the German composer’s romantic epic will enthrall opera fans with the story of Queen Rodelinda, King Bertarido and a cast of characters within the royal line of the Lombards in early 18th-century Milan.

Premiering at the intimate CAPA Theater for just four nights, Rodelinda stars the company’s Resident Artists along with special guest musicians from Chatham Baroque. First premiered in 1725 as part of a string of Handel’s successful masterpieces produced in London, Rodelinda features libretto by Italian composer Nicola Haym.

Widely regarded as one of Handel’s “greatest hits,” the opera blends comedy, romance, farce and political intrigue. Audiences will be drawn in as Queen Rodelinda faces grief, treachery and political upheaval, all while remaining steadfastly loyal to her exiled husband.

Directed by Crystal Manich, the production stars Jasmine Muhammad as Queen Rodelinda, Corrie Stallings as King Bertarido, Laurel Semerdjian as lady-in-waiting Eduige, Adam Bonanni as the traitor Grimoaldo and Phillip Gay as the henchman Garibaldo. Helping to bring the stylish opera to life are sets designed by Holly O’Hara and costumes created by Karen Anselm.

Scored for a small orchestra of flute, two oboes, bassoon, two horns, strings, cello, lute and harpsichord, Rodelinda provided an ideal opportunity for the the Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra to partner with Chatham Baroque for a production conducted by Baroque and Early Music specialist Michael Beattie.

Want to learn more about Handel and the story behind Rodelinda? Ticketholders are invited to attend Pre-Opera Talks one hour before each performance in the CAPA Theater Black Box. Meet the show’s artists on Tuesday, January 27th immediately following the opera in the CAPA Theater Black Box.

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Jennifer has worked at the Mattress Factory, Brooklyn Museum of Art and Dahesh Museum of Art and is co-author of Pittsburgh Signs Project: 250 Signs of Western Pennsylvania. She also is co-coordinator of Handmade Arcade. Musically, she is in a band called The Garment District and is a founding member of Brooklyn's The Ladybug Transistor.