(Photo: Birgit Gufler) Baroque opera is no stranger to theatrical excess. With its lavish sets, fabulous costumes, spectacular stage effects, and array of mythical heroes, gods and monsters, it could never be accused of understatement. Yet, Antonio Cesti’s 1668 opera, “Il pomo d’oro,” took it all to a new level. This was an opera on a whole new scale, one {…}