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Opera on 3

Music: Classical: Opera

Programme presenting rare and fascinating operatic performances

Programme presenting rare and fascinating performances and vividly communicating the immediacy of the live experience

Opera on 3: Monteverdi's The Return of Ulysses

Performances & Events

Music: Classical

Monteverdi's The Return of Ulysses

24/02/2018

BBC Radio 3 - Opera on 3, Monteverdi's The Return of Ulysses

Monteverdi's The Return of Ulysses from the Roundhouse in Camden.

Sean Rafferty presents the Royal Opera House's production of Monteverdi's The Return of Ulysses from the Roundhouse in Camden. Christian Curnyn conducts the Early Opera Company.

The Royal Opera House's production of Monteverdi's The Return of Ulysses from the Roundhouse in Camden, directed by John Fulljames. Christian Curnyn conducts the Early Opera Company. 

Based on Homer's Odyssey, Ulysses is returning home to Ithaca after twenty years away at the Trojan War. Penelope is his faithful and patient wife, but her suitors grow in number. She declares that anyone who can draw Ulysses' bow will have won her hand and kingdom; the suitors all fail but a disguised Ulysses asks for his turn - and of course is victorious. After so long away, Penelope initially refuses to believe it is him, but they are happily reunited when he convinces her of his identity and love. Roderick Williams stars in the role of Ulysses, and Caitlin Hulcup as Penelope. One of only three surviving operas by Monteverdi, the score is full of pathos and drama. 

The chorus for The Return of Ulysses is made up of 40 singers from the Roundhouse community choir and the Royal Opera House Thurrock Community Chorus.

Sean Rafferty presents and his guest is the soprano Elin Manahan Thomas, whose academic research before the stage was in the world of Celtic mythology.


Ulysses / Human Frailty ..... Roderick Williams (Baritone)
Antinous / Time ..... David Shipley (Bass)
Minerva / Fortune ..... Catherine Carby (Mezzo-soprano)
Melantho / Love ..... Francesca Chiejina (Soprano)
Penelope ..... Caitlin Hulcup (Mezzo-soprano)
Telemachus ..... Samuel Boden (Tenor)
Eurycleia ..... Susan Bickley (Mezzo-soprano
Eumaeus ..... Mark Milhofer (Tenor)
Irus ..... Stuart Jackson (Tenor)
Amphinomus ..... Nick Pritchard (Tenor)
Peisander ..... Tai Oney (Counter-tenor)
Eurymachus ..... Andrew Tortise (Tenor)

The Return of Ulysses Community Ensemble
Early Opera Company Orchestra
Christian Curnyn (Conductor).

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