CLAUDIO MONTEVERDI, IL RITORNO D’ULISSE IN PATRIA. TEATRO LA FENICE DI VENEZIA

The most melancholic and meditative of Monteverdi’s three operas, Il ritorno di Ulisse in patria (The Return of Ulysses to his Homeland) had its debut in Venice in 1641. Here Ulisse is a sort of fragile hero, not satisfied with the knowledge he has acquired, but keener to rediscover the affection he has been missing for four lustres. It is here that Monteverdi reaches unrivalled heights of musical invention and psychological insight of his characters. The recognition scene between Ulisse and Telemaco is outstanding, as is that between the protagonist and Penelope, if not even more so

Venice: La Fenice Opera House

Conductor: Sir John Eliot Gardiner

Co -director: Elsa Rooke/Sir John Eliot Gardiner

Lighting: Rick Fisher

Costumes: Patricia Hofstede (Atelier paradis)

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