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Rodelinda

by George Frederic Händel

Directed by Sydney Roslin

Conducted by Peter Kozma

Performed with Opera Neo at the First Unitarian Universalist Church

San Diego, CA

May 10 - 11, 2024

 

Costume Design: Zoë Trautmann

Scenic Design: Peter Kozma and Sydney Roslin

Lighting Design: Malcolm Foster

Photography: Gary Payne

The king has been deposed and is presumed dead, leaving his widow and young son in enemy hands. His usurper was promised to the king’s sister, who assisted in the takeover to secure her own shot at the throne, but the usurper now pines for the widowed queen instead. Two advisors, one loyal to the rightful king and one whispering in the usurper’s ear, have set next steps in motion. And the opera hasn’t even begun yet. 

 

This is where we start Handel’s Rodelinda, which puts the recognizable battle between integrity and lust for power in the high-stakes world of nobility. The inner struggles of royal families are less familiar to us now than they would have been to Handel’s original 1725 British audience. However, the tensions and takeovers of modern family dynasties regularly capture the American imagination. We pay close attention to the scandals, lawsuits, and glamour of the Waltons, Kochs, Kennedys, Sacklers, etc. because we are immensely curious about how influence, status, and billions of dollars can change a person - does their power elevate them to a mythical status, or are they just as human as the rest of us? 

 

Handel answers with a retinue of deeply flawed characters. Bertarido, our deposed leader, has been born into his position of power, but often flies at the first signs of trouble. Grimoaldo, our usurper, is an outsider who believes himself worthy of power at any cost, but cannot fully grapple with the unsavory actions that “at any cost” can entail. Left to pick up the pieces is Rodelinda, who enters with the clear-eyed mission to protect her family. While the battle for status reveals the weaknesses and myopia of those around her, Rodelinda’s devotion to her loved ones, intelligence, and unwillingness to compromise her morals allow her to stay a step ahead of her enemies. What’s more, her integrity itself is contagious - as she risks her security to do what is right, she plants seeds of doubt in her adversaries, forcing them to confront the consequences of their morally questionable actions.

 

No one stays in power forever. Wealth dissipates, public opinion changes, and in the end, even billionaires are made of mere flesh and blood. But integrity can exist when every other trapping of status disappears, keeping us beholden to each other and giving us the strength of spirit to persevere through our darkest moments.

 Duca, vedesti mai più bel disprezzo... Io già t'amai

Performed by Charles Calotta, Matthew Cook, and Bridget Cappel

Ombre, piante

Performed by Emily Helenbrook

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©2022 Sydney Roslin. Proudly created with Wix.com

Header image ©Joshua Brown Photography, Headshots by Nile Scott Studios

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