UCLA to Present ‘La Liberazione di Ruggiero dall’Isola di Alcina’
By David Salazar(Photo: Todd Cheney)
UCLA is set to present Francesca Caccini’s “La Liberazione di Ruggiero dall’Isola di Alcina” on March 23, 2025.
The showcase will take place at the UCLA William Andrews Clark Memorial Library in celebration of the 400th anniversary of the work, which is the first opera ever written by a woman. It will be presented by the Early Music Ensemble and L.A. Camerata. Marylin Winkle will direct the production.
“Our earliest operas were not called ‘operas’ in their own time; they were called ‘tragedies in music’ or ‘comedies in music,’” Winkle said in an official release on the Institution’s website. “‘La liberazione’ is a major work of musical drama that is staged and substantial in length. By that definition, it is absolutely an opera, making this the first opera by a woman composer. Caccini deserves credit and recognition for that.”
Ariel Pisturino portrays Alcina while Ianthe Marini takes on the role of Melissa. Jon Lee Keenan plays Ruggiero and Vasken Ohanian appears as Nettuno. Adam Faruqi performs as Pastore, Iris Malkin embodies Dama Disincantata, and Krystal Mao plays Sirena and Nunzia. Laur Trustee represents Vistola Fiume and sings in the chorus.
The production will not include subtitles but a “muse,” played by Corryn Cummins, to provide English narration before each scene.
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