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Works of G.F.Handel used in the performance: Oratorio "MESSIAH" (N 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 19, 34, 39, 48) March from the opera "RINALDO" Aria of Almirena from the opera "RINALDO" Aria of Sosarme from the opera "SOSARME" Duet of Cornelia and Sesto from the opera "GIULIO CESARE" Aria of Jephtha from the oratorio "JEPHTHA" |
GUSTAVUS WALTZ – Handel's cook, a performer of the unique part of Polyphem with a range of three octaves in the opera "Acis and Galatea" and Saul's part in the oratory "Saul". THE REVEREND DR. PATRIC DELANY – while listening to a singer during the first night performance of "Messiah", unable to control his fillings, exclaimed: "Oh woman, your singing is so beautiful that the God will forgive you whatever sins you might committed!" MARY PANDERVAS (later Mrs. Delany) got acquainted with Handel in 1710 when John Heidegger brought him into her father's house. All her life she has been Handel's devoted friend (platonic love) and a connoisseur of his operas. FRANCESCA CUZZONI – the greatest soprano singer of the XVIII-th century known for her bad temper and making scenes permanently to Handel who threatened "to throw her out of the window". JOHN JAMES HEIDEGGER – met Handel in 1710. According to Pandervas, he was "the ugliest man she had ever seen" and "a despot". Since 1715, he was a tenant-producer at the "Haymarket" theatre, a part time designer and sometimes a librettist. When Handel experienced great difficulties, he rented the theatre to Handel's enemies from the "Opera of the Nobility". |
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KING GEORGE II OF ENGLAND, the second ruling member of the House of Hanover,
ascended to the throne in 1727. He was notorious for his passion for intrigue and has known as
an admirer of Handel.
FREDERICK, the Prince of Wales, being an enemy of the King, desired to ruin Handel. He organized the "Opera of the Nobility" led by a revengeful tenor castrato Senesino. Such composers as Bononchini, Pepusch, Gluck, and Sandoni worked for it. The prince's wife Augusta, the Dutchess of Saksgot, reconciled the Prince with Handel. The King who was deeply hurt deprived Handel of the annual 1000-pound allowance. FAUSTINA BORDONI – the greatest mezzo-soprano singer of the XVIII-th century, was born in Venice. She was invited to London in 1726 because Cuzzoni was expecting a child. An incident was reported of Cuzzoni and Faustina starting a fight before the audience. FRANCESCO BERNARDI (stage name Senesino) – tenor castrato, the idol of the whole generation of Londoners, had a charming voice. One day during the performance of Handel's opera "Giulio Cesare", when Senesino was about to sing "Caesar had never known fear" all of a sudden some scenery fell and Senesino was struck dumb and started crying. |
Production - D. Sherstennikov, E. Maleeva, A. Kogan
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