The Festival della Valle d’Itria is set to present Händel’s “Ariodante.”

The opera will be performed in a new edition by Bernardo Ticci with the ensemble Modo Antiquo conducted by Federico Maria Sardelli. Torsten Fischer will direct the new production which he describes as a modern reading.

In a statement, Torsten added, “The fickleness of love, lust for power, diabolical intrigues and betrayal, of blind love…Through Händel’s celestial music we experience a journey through the emotional worlds of human feelings – explained Fischer –. I tried to bring out the purest part of the characters and all the possible facets of the human being. The viewer can find himself in this story as in a mirror that reflects the life of today. Without gender distinction: it is not important to be a man or a woman, but to be human.”

The opera will star Cecilia Molinari in the title role. Joining her are Teresa Iervolino (Polinesso), Francesca Lombardi Mazzulli (Ginevra), Biagio Pizzuti (Re di Scozia), Theodora Raftis (Dalinda), Manuel Amati (Lurcanio), and Manuel Caputo (Odoardo).

“Ariodante will be performed from July 22 to July 29 with the opening night performance streamed live on Rai Radio 3.

In addition to “Ariodante,” the festival will also present a production of “Norma” with Jacquelyn Wagner.