Ariodante

The Israeli Opera Chorus

Chorus Master: Itay Berckovitch

Israeli Baroque Collective

With the participation of the Ensemble Matheus of Jean-Christophe Spinosi (France)

Sets, props and costumes from a production of the Wiener Staatsoper, 2017
(Sets, props and costumes manufactured by ART for ART Theaterservice GmbH, Vienna)

Duration: Three hours and 30 minutes including two intermissions

Complimentary tickets to active duty soldiers in uniform – courtesy of Lizika, Ami & Teddy Sagy

Act I

Ginevra tells Dalinda that she is in love with Ariodante and that they have the blessing of her father, the King. Polinesso expresses his love for Ginevra, who rejects him and it is Dalinda who then tells Polinesso that Ariodante is his rival, at the same time hinting at her own feelings for Polinesso. He decides to use Dalinda to destroy Ariodante. Ariodante and Ginevra are overjoyed when the King announces that their wedding will be celebrated the next day. Polinesso leads Dalinda to believe he loves her. Lurcanio, Ariodante’s brother, confesses to Dalinda that he loves her, but she rejects him. Ariodante and Ginevra celebrate their wedding eve.

Act II

Later that night, Polinesso tells Ariodante that he is already Ginevra’s lover and does not understand how Ariodante is marrying her. Ariodante conceals himself and Dalinda, disguised as Ginevra, invites Polinesso into her room. Ariodante feels that he has been betrayed and is grief-stricken. Lurcanio, who has watched all of this, prevents Ariodante from killing himself, convincing him instead to seek revenge. News is brought to the King that Ariodante has jumped from a cliff into the sea and is presumed drowned. Ginevra collapses in grief while Lurcanio claims that Ariodante has killed himself because of Ginevra’s infidelity.

Act III

Ariodante has survived but is in torment. He meets Dalinda, who now understands Polinesso's trickery and reveals it all to Ariodante. Polinesso challenges Lurcanio’s story. They will duel, with Polinesso as Ginevra’s champion. In spite of her resistance, the King insists. During the duel, Lurcanio fatally injures Polinesso. A new challenger appears who reveals himself to be Ariodante and promises to explain everything, as long as Dalinda is forgiven her innocent part in Polinesso’s deception. Polinesso dies, having confessed everything. The King forgives Dalinda and proclaims the triumph of love and innocence.

Back Stage Secrets at the Opera
Many Opportunities to Widen your Opera Experience

Do you want to know more about the opera you are about to attend? Do you want to find out some back stage secrets? Do you want to meet the artists after the performance? The Israeli Opera enables you to widen your opera experience with a variety of pre performance and post-performance events. 

Pre Performance Lecture
One hour before each opera performance there is a 30-minute introductory lecture in the auditorium (in Hebrew). Opera staffers present the opera and the production and enable the audience to get some extra information a short time before attending the performances. Admission is free for ticket holders. 

Opera Talkback
The curtain has just descended on the final scene of the opera. The hour is late. Nut the experience was riveting. This is the time to meet several of the performers. Come to listen and to speak. Ask questions. Meet the artists. A once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the artists who have just excited you on the stage. Opera Talkbacks takes place on the second level of the Opera House foyer and last around 30 minutes. Admission free. Opera Talkback takes place on several evenings in each production. Details can be found at the Israeli opera’s website.