A baroque rarity received an airing a few days ago at the Opéra national de Lorraine in Nancy, with countertenors in five of the six parts - including two female roles. Leonardo Vinci's Artaserse premiered in Rome in 1730, when women were banned from the boards by papal decree.
A 'baroque gesture specialist' assisted with Silviu Purcărete's new production, and lavishly OTT sets and costumes capture the spirit of the period, even if they're not exactly authentic.
Recent Comments