Richard the lionheart

By George Frideric Handel • January 21, 24, 27 & 29, 2017

Before he wrote his famous Messiah, George Frideric Handel composed a number of beautiful operas.  He wrote Richard the Lionheart (Riccardo Primo) for the Royal Academy's 1726–27 opera season. Although it’s been performed numerous times in Europe, this will mark only its second United States performance.

King Richard I of England travels to Cyprus to retrieve his shipwrecked fiancee Costanza. But Isacio, the Governor of Cyprus, wants her for himself. Betrayal, greed, love and war- all the ingredients for a thrilling opera.

Pittsburgh Opera’s Resident Artists will dazzle you in a brand new production.

Pulcheria (Claudia Rosenthal) expresses her unhappiness that her fiancee Oronte (Taylor Raven) has eyes for Costanza (Shannon Jennings).

Pittsburgh Opera is pleased to partner with Chatham Baroque for Richard the Lionheart. Founded in 1990, Chatham Baroque continues to excite local, national and international audiences with dazzling technique and lively interpretations of 17th- and 18th- century music played on authentic instruments of the period.

Pittsburgh Opera is also pleased to be partnering with Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama to create new, custom sets for these performances. 

Individual tickets are now on sale. You can buy single tickets now or purchase them as part of a subscription

Season sponsor: PNC. Tuesday performance sponsor: Ambridge Regional Distribution and Manufacturing Center.

Georg Friedrich Händel RICCARDO PRIMO
Edited for the Hallische Händel-Ausgabe by Terence Best
Used by arrangement with European American Music Distributors Company, U.S. and Canadian agent for Baerenreiter Verlag, publisher and copyright owner.

Pulcheria (Claudia Rosenthal) daughter of Isacio, the governor of Cyprus

Isacio (Andy Berry) tells Costanza (Shannon Jennings) he won’t give her back to King Richard.

King Richard I (Leah de Gruyl)

Oronte (Taylor Raven), Prince of Syria

Everyone celebrates Isacio’s defeat: Costanza (Shannon Jennings), King Richard I (Leah de Gruyl), Pulcheria (Claudia Rosenthal), Berardo (Brian Vu) and Oronte (Taylor Raven)

Synopsis

Cast and Artistic Team

Additional Video Excerpts

Details and Resources