Organization

Singer

Countertenor

Douglas Kelly

Corindo

Contralto

Dominica Matthews

Aristea

Set designer

Jeremy Allen

Costume designer

Sabina Myers

Lighting designer

Damien Cooper

Mezzo-soprano

Anna Dowsley

Orontea

Tenor

Jonathan Abernethy

Alidoro

Soprano

Sofia Troncoso

Silandra

Max Riebl

Bass

David Greco

Philosopher

Roberta Diamond

Giacinta

Jacqueline Dark

Baritone

Andrew O'Connor

Gelone

Louis Hurley

Tibrino

Stage director

Constantine Costi

Conductor

Erin Helyard

Opera Australia

Pinchgut Opera

Orchestra

Orchestra of the Antipodes

Italian

Sydney City

Australia

City Recital Hall

Orontea Cesti

Public

English

Approved

“Duty and passion, old flames and new flings, music and wine all come head-to-head in a riotous night at the opera.” Constantine Costi
Irresistibly charming and wickedly funny, Orontea deftly combines Cesti’s melodic inventiveness with Cicognini’s clever and comic libretto.

Orontea features an artfully assembled cast led by stunning soprano Anna Dowsley – star of the film A Delicate Fire – together with Pinchgut fan-favourites Max Riebl, David Greco, Jacqueline Dark and Andrew O’Connor. New Zealand tenor Jonathan Abernathy joins American soprano Sofia Troncoso in their Pinchgut opera debuts.

Musical heir to Monteverdi and a younger contemporary of Cavalli, Cesti was one of the most popular composers of the 17th century. When it premiered in 1656, Orontea immediately captured the public’s attention through its brilliant and skilful combination of poetry and music.

Studded with memorable arias and remarkable duets, Cesti’s gifts for musical characterisation and melodic story telling are here on display for the first time in Australia.

In the spirit of Cavalli’s The Loves of Apollo & Dafne, Pinchgut Opera brings you another delicious taste of Italian opera made fresh for today’s audiences, with the promise of revelry, beauty and laughter.

Orontea by Cesti, From (2022/2022), Directed by Constantine Costi,, Conductor Erin Helyard, City Recital Hall, Sydney City, Australia

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Crew

Ensemble

Co-Producer

Program, About & Synopsis

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues