CD Reviews

I see from this month's Opera Magazine that performances of Handel operas continue to crop up with pleasing regularity, if one is prepared to travel. The Opéra Royal at Versailles is presenting both Rinaldo and Giulio Cesare. Though neither production was actually created for the baroque theatre itself. Rinaldo comes from the National Theatre in Prague and is directed by Louise Monty. Giulio Cesare is directed by Christian Schiaretti and is a co-production between the Théâtre Lyrique de Tourcoing and Grand Théâtre de Reims. Still, just to see such opera in baroque surroundings would be great (in fact we are going to attend on of the Giulio Cesare performances). Versailles are also presenting Purcell's King Arthur (production from Opera de Montpelier) and Dido and Aeneas, Monteverdi's Coronation of Poppea, plus Gounod's opera based on Moliere's Le Medecin Malgre Lui, as well as Racine's play Berenice.

Further ahead, David Alden is doing a new production of Handel's Deidamia for Netherlands Opera in 2012 (conducted by Ivor Bolton), and Buxton are staging Handel's Saul next year, with Jonathan Best in the title role. The director will be Olivia Fuchs and the conductor Harry Christophers.