Philippe Jaroussky as Ruggiero is in thrall to Patricia Petibon as the sorceress Alcina in Katie Mitchells virtuosic production of Handels opera from the 2015 AixenProvence Festival described by Bachtrack as a night of a thousand delights Conducted by Andrea Marcon this was in the words of Opera News musically a performance of the highest festival level The production of Alcina by the British director Katie Mitchell was welcomed by the Financial Times as meticulously executed rich in detail consummately polished As the New York Times wrote It involves a huge sorcery machine for turning people into animals or whatever And Ms Mitchell works magic of her own onstage constantly showing the enchantresses Alcina and Morgana alternating between glamorous public personas and their real life older private selves There are also bits of simulated sex mingling genders and suggesting among other things inventive new ways to hit high notes
