2019–20 Season

Partenope

MUSIC BY GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL

All performances of Partenope have been cancelled. Click here for more info.

Love's a drag, isn't it?

Mistaken identities reveal deep truths about love and war in Handel's hilarious Baroque comedy. Breakout soprano Louise Adler stars as Partenope, a 1920s Paris socialite besieged by a colorful cast of suitors including internationally renowned countertenors Franco Fagioli and Jakub Józef Orlińksi.

Be there when Christopher Alden's Olivier Award-winning production takes the Opera House by storm in a limited, 5-performance-only engagement!

Meet the Cast

Sung in Italian with English supertitles

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HEAR THE MUSIC

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THE BUZZ

“Surrender to [Partenope’s] buoyant charms, and you may soon find your senses ravished and your funny bone delicately tickled.”
—San Francisco Chronicle

“Louise Alder’s sparkling soprano has great poise and assurance and her warm reception was richly deserved.”
—The Guardian

“Fagioli is one of today's great vocal technicians, and the ease and almost superhuman agility with which he attacks some of the big bravura numbers are simply staggering.”
—The Guardian

Synopsis

A battle of the sexes ensues between a sophisticated society woman and the group of suitors who desire her.

READ COMPLETE SYNOPSIS >

CAST AND CREATIVE

CAST

Partenope	Louise Alder ^*
Rosmira	Daniela Mack
Arsace	Franco Fagioli ^*
Armindo	Jakub Józef Orliński ^*
Emilio	Alek Shrader
Ormonte	Hadleigh Adams

PERFORMANCES

Jun 12, 18, 21, 23, 27, 2020

CREATIVE

Conductor	Christopher Moulds
Production	Christopher Alden
Revival Director	Roy Rallo
Set Designer	Andrew Lieberman
Costume Designer	Jon Morrell
Lighting Designer	Adam Silverman
Revival Lighting Designer	Gary Marder
Choreographer	Lawrence Pech

* San Francisco Opera debut

English National Opera and Opera Australia production.

Previous performances of Partenope can be found in our Archives.

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MADE POSSIBLE BY

Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem, and Joan and David Traitel.