Discuss “Alcina takes a few modern twists”

Over the weekend, the opera Alcina had almost everything a spectator could want: flashy costumes and scenery, a magical realm, sorcery, swashbuckling, and even cross-dressing. Based on an epic poem and produced by the School of Music, the opera was written by George Frideric Handel, but the libretto, or text of the plot, has no known author.

Alcina is a work not unlike a Shakespeare comedy in which lovers are crossed, identities are mistaken, and occasional hilarity ensues. The story follows Bradamante (junior Olivio Custodio) as she arrives at the island ruled by the evil sorceress Alcina (senior Christine Lyons) in search of her fiancé. Bradamante is posing as Ricciardo, her brother, but from the first few hilarious scenes, it becomes clear...