La Calisto is an absolute triumph of early opera, first seen in 1651 and now the first Cavalli opera ever to be performed by The Royal Opera. It has all the Baroque hallmarks of eloquent recitatives, sensuous arias and delightful dance rhythms combined with a witty story of comic sexual confusion between gods and mortals.

The music alone makes this essential for opera fans, especially with a fine cast of singers under the acclaimed conductor Ivor Bolton, with The Monteverdi Continuo Ensemble and members of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. David Alden’s production is visually arresting in its brilliantly coloured sets and costumes.

Already rapturously received in Munich, it comes with a wonderfully modern twist for what Alden describes as a ‘riotous sex-comedy production of a riotous sex comedy’ as the virginal nymph Calisto resists all amorous advances from the god Jove - even when he’s disguised as the chaste goddess Diana!

Dates
Opened: 23rd September 2008
Closed: 10th October 2008

Run Time: Three hours | 1 Interval

Sung in Italian with English Surtitles