Armida

Armida is the last high definition broadcast from the Metropolitan Opera for this season. The broadcast is available at Tinseltown in Benton this Saturday at noon.
Gioachino Rossini's Armida features Renee Flemming in the title role. Libretto by Giovanni Schmidt. The Met's production is directed by Mary Zimmerman and conducted by Riccardo Frizza.
Armida is the story of a beautiful and enchanting sorceress enthralling men in her island prison. In addition to the ever popular Flemming, the cast includes Lawrence Brownlee as Rinaldo, Bruce Ford as Goffredo, Jose Manuel Zapata as Gernando, Barry Banks as Carlo and Kobie van Rensburg as Ubaldo.
The sets and costumes for this production were designed by Richard Hudson. Brian MacDevitt designed lighting. Making her Met debut in Armida is dance choreographer Graciela Daniele.
This opera was underwritten by The Sybil B. Harrington Endowment Fund.
The opera Armida is based on a story of the Crusades by Torquato Tasso, Gerusalemme Liberata.
Interestingly, all of Armida’s prisoners are tenors. Armida is the only female role in the opera. Armida falls in love with crusader Rinaldo. Rinaldo’s comrades convince him his duty is with the Crusades. He leaves Armida and she seeks revenge. The sorceress Armida is the star in the opera and all the best music is written for this character. Since Fleming is enchanting, beautiful and immensely talented, this opera is a must see.
The opera is best known for Armida’s unleashing of a vocal coloratura firestorm in act three. There is also a cello concerto which has been called rapturous. The ballet by Daniele has been deemed exquisite. All elements adding up to a memorable and enjoyable performance.
The Village Opera Guild will meet this Friday at 10 a.m. at the Oauchita Room to discuss Armida.