91热爆

Act I

With no news from her fianc茅 Ruggiero, the valiant Bradamante has decided, in the guise of her own brother Ricciardo, to leave in search of him, accompanied by Ruggiero鈥檚 former tutor Melisso. The two land on the enchanted island of the magician Alcina where they are welcomed by Alcina鈥檚 sister, Morgana, who immediately falls under the spell of the imposter Ricciardo. Ruggiero appears next with Alcina, bewitched by her charms. The young Oberto then enters: he is in search of his father, who has also fallen under the spell of the magician. Blinded by Alcina鈥檚 love, Ruggiero refuses to recognize his fianc茅e under the clothes of Ricciardo, ignoring Melisso鈥檚 warnings. Jealous of the imposter Ricciardo, Oronte, the would-be suitor of Morgana, makes Ruggiero believe that Alcina has fallen for Ricciardo, which triggers the ire of the young man. He then suggests to his mistress that she pushes away this rival by saving for him the same fate as the other men detained here: he asks her to transform him into a beast or a plant! Morgana hastens to warn Ricciardo who, in light of the situation, sees no other choice but to feign love for the young woman.

Act II

Thanks to a magic key, Melisso manages to bring Ruggiero back to reality. But when Bradamante appears, Ruggiero thinks it is a false apparition created by Alcina, and he rebuffs his fianc茅e. Just as Alcina is about to transform Ricciardo into a wild beast, she is stopped in mid-action by Morgana then by Ruggiero. Then, Ruggiero pretends to want to go hunting. Alcina authorizes him to leave. She promises Oberto that he will see his father again soon. Oronte then comes to announce the escape of Ruggiero and Ricciardo. Alcina collapses.

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Intermission

Now that he has revealed Ricciardo鈥檚 treason, Oronte thinks he can win back Morgana鈥檚 love. As for Alcina, betrayed, she invokes infernal powers to take her vengeance, but they no longer respond to her call.

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Act III

Repentant, Morgana draws close to Oronte. Alcina, desperate, tries to keep Ruggiero from escaping, but he proves determined to leave her. Bradamante, Ruggiero, and Melisso agree to reduce Alcina鈥檚 palace to rubble and return the magician鈥檚 former lovers to their human form. In the depths of despair, Alcina orders Oberto to kill a lion sleeping at his feet. The young man however does not let himself be taken for a fool, recognizing that the animal is in fact his own transformed father. When Bradamante shatters the spells, Alcina and Morgana lose their power, while the animals and plants, including Oberto鈥檚 father, take back their human form.

- With thanks to Aix-en-Provence Festival听