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Alcina

October 14, 15, 20, 22, 25, & 28, 2023
McCaw Hall

Overview

Superb”

– The Seattle Times


Music by George Frideric Handel

On a remote island, the powerful sorceress Alcina lures men with her seductive magic. When a young woman disguised in armor comes to free her fiancé from the sorceress’s grip, relationships are entangled, passions are revealed, and with the help of an enchanted ring, the strength of love is restored.

This production marks the first time Alcina has been experienced by Seattle Opera audiences. Conductor Christine Brandes, who herself has sung the role of Morgana, takes the podium alongside soprano Vanessa Goikoetxea returning as the imposing Alcina in this captivating Handel opera.

Events & Availability

$61 Single Seat specials in the Orchestra section on Saturday, October 28.

Supply Drive: We will be collecting art supplies, board game, and gift card donations in the lobby in partnership with Plymouth Housing to support adults experiencing homelessness. Learn more

Performance Information

Performance Information

McCaw Hall

Evening performances at 7:30 PM. Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM

In Italian with English subtitles

Performance Time: 2 hours and 40 minutes including one intermission

Audio Described Performance: Sunday, October 22
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Pre- and Post-Show Talks at every performance.
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Digital Program

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Synopsis & Translations

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Movie-style rating: PG-13

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Sensory Guide

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Accessibility Offerings

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COVID Safety

We strongly recommend all audience members wear a mask when attending Seattle Opera performances. Please review our safety page before every event and performance you attend to get the most up-to-date information.

Safety Protocols

Praise

A triumph”

— The Seattle Times

 

It’s worth going to see for the glorious music...Handel lives.”

— Broadwayworld.com

 

Soprano Vanessa Goikoetxea’s Alcina carries the room with her massive voice”

— NWTheatre

 

One of the loveliest productions of a Handel opera I have seen in a long time.”

— British Theatre Guide

 

Handel's ear-catching score sprang to life . . . strong vocal and orchestral artistry.”

— Seen and Heard International

 

Rarely do operagoers get to savor this combination of history, novelty, imagination and musical expertise in one production.”

— The Seattle Times

 

A stunning blend of voices.”

— NWTheatre

 

Awe inspiring performances . . . a mesmerizing opera.”

— Eclectic Arts

 

[Conductor Christine Brandes] and a superb ensemble of Seattle Opera musicians made it look and sound easy.”

— Seattle Gay News

 

Spectacular performances all around. My favorite experience at the opera so far.”

— Grey via Instagram

Cast

Vanessa Goikoetxea

Alcina

Soprano
At Seattle Opera in 2023/24:
Alcina, Alcina

Hometown: Durango (Bizkaia), Spain
Seattle Opera Debut: Micaëla, Carmen (’19)
Previously at Seattle Opera: Donna Anna, Don Giovanni (’21); Nedda, Pagliacci Highlights Recital (’20)
Engagements: Mimì, La bohème (Semperoper Dresden); Sabina, Hadrian (Teatro Real); Rosario, Goyescas (Opéra de Limoges); Floria Tosca, Tosca (Teatro de la Maestranza); Rusalka, Rusalka (Opéra de Nice); Amalia, Alfredo il Grande (Donizetti Opera Festival)

Last Updated: December 2022

Vanessa Goikoetxea

Alcina

Oct. 14, 15, 20, 22, 25, & 28

Sharleen Joynt

Morgana

Soprano
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Queen of the Night, The Magic Flute 

Hometown: Ottawa, Canada
Seattle Opera Debut: Controller, Flight (’21)
Previously at Seattle Opera: Morgana, Alcina ('23); Amore, Orpheus and Eurydice (’22)
Engagements: Bess, Breaking the Waves (Detroit Opera); Cunegonde, Candide (Ravinia Music Festival, Opéra National de Lyon); Musetta, La bohème (Vancouver Opera); Winnie, Sky on Swings (Opera Philadelphia); Zerbinetta, Ariadne auf Naxos (Oper Leipzig); Gilda, Rigoletto (Opera Colorado)

Last Updated: December 2023

Sharleen Joynt

Morgana

Oct. 14, 15, 20, 22, 25, & 28

Randall Scotting

Ruggiero

Countertenor
At Seattle Opera in 2023/24: Ruggiero, Alcina

Hometown: Grand Junction, CO
Seattle Opera Debut: Athamas, Semele (’15)
Previously at Seattle Opera: Refugee, Flight (’21)
Engagements: Apollo, Death in Venice (Royal Opera House); debut solo album, The Crown, heroic arias for Senesino (Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment); Michael, Thomas (Bayerische Staatsoper Munich); Adonis, Venere e Adone (Staatsoper Hamburg); Amadigi, Amadigi di Gaula (Ars Lyrica Houston); Ruggiero, Alcina (Frankfurt Opera)

Last Updated: July 2023

Randall Scotting

Ruggiero

Oct. 14, 15, 20, 22, 25, & 28

Ginger Costa-Jackson

Bradamante

Mezzo-Soprano
At Seattle Opera in 2023/24: Bradamante, Alcina; Soloist, 60th Anniversary Concert & Gala

Hometown: Palermo, Sicily
Seattle Opera Debut: Dorabella, Così fan tutte (’18)
Previously at Seattle Opera: Musetta, La bohème (’21); Cinderella, Cinderella (’20); Three Singing Sisters Concert (’20); Carmen, Carmen ('19)
Engagements: Andromaca, Ermione (Washington Concert Opera);Donna Elvira, Don Giovanni (Teatro Petruzzelli); Giulietta, The Tales of Hoffmann (Gran Teatre del Liceu); Dorabella, Così fan tutte (La Monnaie); Carmen, Carmen (English National Opera, Opéra Royal de Wallonie, and Hamburg Opera); Charlotte, Werther (Grange Park Opera)

Last updated: February 2024

Ginger Costa-Jackson

Bradamante

Oct. 14, 15, 20, 22, 25, & 28

John Marzano

Oronte

Tenor
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Beppe, Pagliacci; Spoletta, Tosca  

Hometown: Tacoma, WA
Seattle Opera Debut: Giuseppe, La traviata (’17)
Previously at Seattle Opera: Soloist, Divo to Diva: Anita Spritzer in Recital (’24); Oronte, Alcina (’23); Gastone de Letorieres, La traviata (’23); Philistine Messenger, Samson and Delilah in Concert (’23); Recitalist, Summer Recital Series (‘21); Le Remendado, Carmen (’19); Ruiz, Il trovatore (’19)
Engagements: Cassio, Otello (Vashon Opera); Tenor, Pride Pops (Seattle Symphony); National Semifinalist, National Council Auditions (Metropolitan Opera); Andronico, Bajazet (Portland Opera); Alfredo, La traviata (Vashon Opera); Camille de Rosillon, The Merry Widow (Tacoma Opera)

Last updated: June 2024

John Marzano

Oronte

Oct. 14, 15, 20, 22, 25, & 28

Nina Yoshida Nelsen

Melissa

Mezzo-Soprano
At Seattle Opera in 2023/24: Melissa, Alcina

Hometown: Santa Barbara, CA
Seattle Opera Debut: Hiroko Kobayashi, An American Dream (’15)
Previously at Seattle Opera: Khanh, Bound (’23); Hiroko Kobayashi, An American Dream (’17)
Engagements: Mother Chen, An American Soldier (Perelman Arts Center); Carmen, Carmen (Indianapolis Opera); Suzuki, Madama Butterfly (Opera Carolina); Phoung Tran, The Rift (Washington National Opera); Queen Sophine, Becoming Santa Clause (Chicago Opera Theater); Mamma Lucia, Cavalleria Rusticana (Boston Lyric Opera)

Last Updated: July 2023

Nina Yoshida Nelsen

Melissa

Oct. 14, 15, 20, 22, 25, & 28

Creative Team

Christine Brandes

Conductor

Conductor
At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Conductor, The Magic Flute

Hometown: Canton, OH
Seattle Opera Debut: Cleopatra, Julius Caesar in Egypt (’07)
Previously at Seattle Opera: Conductor, Alcina (’23); Pamina, The Magic Flute (’11); Susanna, The Marriage of Figaro (’09)
Engagements:
Conductor, Così fan tutte (Wolf Trap Opera); Die Zauberflöte (Florida Grand Opera); Semele (Atlanta Opera); Giulio Cesare in Egitto (West Edge Opera); Orfeo ed Euridice (West Edge Opera, Victory Hall Opera); Guest Conductor (Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra; Les Violons du Roy; Trinity Baroque Orchestra)

Last Updated: August 2024

Christine Brandes

Conductor

Tim Albery

Director

At Seattle Opera in 2023/24: Stage Director, Alcina

Hometown: Mono, Ontario
Seattle Opera Debut
Engagements: Stage Director, L'incoronazione di Poppea (Opera Theatre of Saint Louis); Hell’s Fury, the Hollywood Songbook (Luminato Festival Toronto, Stanford Live); Der fliegende Holländer, Tannhäuser (Royal Opera House); Mitridate, re di Ponto (Garsington Opera); Così fan tutte (Opera North)

Last Updated: July 2023

Tim Albery

Director

Seattle Opera Debut

Hannah Clark

Scenic and Costume Designer

At Seattle Opera in 2023/24: Scenic and Costume Designer, Alcina

Hometown: London, UK
Seattle Opera Debut
Engagements: Costume designer, Platée (Zurich Opera); Semele (Glyndebourne Opera); Il Trittico (Scottish Opera); Set and costume designer, Mitridate (Garsington Opera); In the Realms of Sorrow (London Handel Festival); Berenice (Royal Opera House)

Last Updated: March 2023

Hannah Clark

Scenic and Costume Designer

Seattle Opera Debut

Ian William Galloway

Video Designer

At Seattle Opera in 2023/24: Video Designer, Alcina

Hometown: London, UK
Seattle Opera Debut
Engagements: Video Director, DIVA:CirqOpera (Finnish National Opera & Ballet); Video Designer, La Fancuilla Del West (Teatro Alla Scala); Hansel & Gretel (Opera North); The Marriage of Figaro (English National Opera); Agrippina (Theater an der Wien); Eugene Onegin (English National Opera)

Last Updated: January 2023

Ian William Galloway

Video Designer

Seattle Opera Debut

Matthew Richardson

Lighting Designer

At Seattle Opera in 2023/24: Lighting Designer, Alcina

Hometown: London, UK
Seattle Opera Debut
Engagements: Lighting Designer, Greek (Edinburgh Festival & Brooklyn Academy of Music); Das Rheingold (Birmingham Opera Company); Alcina (Opera North); Stage Director, Rigoletto and Anthropocene (Scottish Opera); Georgiana (Buxton International Festival)

Last Updated: December 2022

Matthew Richardson

Lighting Designer

Seattle Opera Debut

Ashlee Naegle

Supplemental Wigs, Hair and Makeup Designer

At Seattle Opera in 2024/25: Wigs, Hair and Makeup Designer, PagliacciJubileeLucidityLes Troyens in ConcertThe Magic FluteTosca

Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
Seattle Opera Debut: Hair and Makeup Intern, Giulio Cesare (2007)
Previously at Seattle Opera: Supplemental Wigs, Hair and Makeup Designer, Das Rheingold ('23); Alcina ('23); X: The Life & Times of Malcolm X ('24); The Barber of Seville ('24)

Ashlee Naegle made a name for herself early on in her career by mastering the dying art of wig building. She created and designed for several companies around town until the Seattle Opera created an in-house Hair and Makeup Designer position for her in 2017. During her time as the in-house Hair and Makeup Designer, she has built a sizable wig collection, built a department, and set high standards for wigs, hair and makeup. With each production, her designs are custom built for the performers and their characters to create a believable façade for the audience as well as complement the costumes and production as a whole.

Last Updated: July 2024

Ashlee Naegle

Supplemental Wigs, Hair and Makeup Designer

Orchestra

Orchestra

Violin I
Helen Kim, Concertmaster
Eduardo Rios, Assoc. Concertmaster
Jennifer Bai
Leonid Keylin
Mikhail Shmidt
Ilana Zaks
Eugene Bazhanov
Adrianna Hulscher

Violin II
Seunghoon Lee, Principal
Evan Anderson, Asst. Principal
Natasha Bazhanov
Stephen Bryant
Linda Cole
Ju Yeon Lee

Viola
Mara Gearman, Principal
Timothy Hale, Asst. Principal
Daniel Stone
Rachel Swerdlow
Aaron Conitz
Kayleigh Miller

Cello
Meeka Quan DiLorenzo, Principal
Sunnat Ibragimov, Asst. Principal
Walter Gray
David Sabee

Bass
Joseph Kaufman, Principal
Jonathan Burnstein, Asst. Principal

Flute
Jeffrey Barker, Principal
Bridget Pei

Oboe
Ben Hausmann, Principal
Stefan Farkas

Bassoon
Luke Fieweger, Principal
Kipras Mažeika

Horn
Jeffrey Fair, Principal
Danielle Kuhlmann

Keyboard
Philip A. Kelsey, Principal

Theorbo/Baroque Guitar
John Lenti, Principal

 

Personnel Manager
Liz Kane

Assistant Personnel Manager
Keith Higgins

 

 

Rotating members of the string sections are listed alphabetically. The Orchestra is composed of members of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra.

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Photos & Videos

Listen to the Music

Articles & Events

Gender Fluidity in Opera

Wednesday, October 18 at 7:00 PM | Tagney Jones Hall

From castrati to pants roles for women and much more, this conversation will explore questions like: "How does voice type impact an audience member’s perception of an opera character?" and "What, if anything, is the relationship between gender and vocal range?"

Learn More & RSVP

Alcina's Literary Origin

The troubled and troubling love-life of the seductive sorceress Alcina was first chronicled in the greatest epic poem you probably don't know: Orlando furioso by Ludovico Ariosto.

Read More

From the Stage to the Podium

Rehearsals are underway at Seattle Opera for Alcina, George Frideric Handel’s spellbinding story of sorcery and seduction. At the helm is conductor Christine Brandes, who, despite making her Seattle Opera conducting debut in this production, has performed at Seattle Opera before—as a singer.

Read More

Alcina's Gender Jumble

Learn more about the history of voice types, gender representation, and casting in Handel's opera.

Read More

Podcast: Alcina 101

Dramaturg Jonathan Dean dives into Alcina to give an overview of the story and music.

Listen Now

Season Sponsor

Maryanne Tagney and David Jones

Principal Singer Season Sponsor

Joan Watjen—in memory of Craig M. Watjen

Production Sponsors

ArtsFund
C.E. Stuart Charitable Trust

Production originally designed for and created by Opera North.

Main Image © Philip Newton