Francesca Caccini's Opera Celebrates 400 Years with Spanish Premiere

Francesca Caccini, a pioneering Italian composer and singer from the 17th century, made history by writing the first known opera by a woman, 'La liberazione di Ruggiero dall'isola d'Alcina.' This groundbreaking work premiered in Italy in 1625 and is now celebrating its 400th anniversary with a Spanish premiere at the Teatros del Canal in Madrid.

The opera, based on Ludovico Ariosto's epic poem 'Orlando Furioso,' tells the tale of the hero Ruggiero and two powerful women, Alcina and Melissa. The story is rich with theatrical effects, including hippogryphs, a boat woven of whale bones, and a winged sea monster. Caccini's innovative composition features ritornelli, balletti, choruses, and trios of female voices, showcasing her advanced musical techniques.

This Spanish premiere is co-produced by Teatros del Canal and Teatro Real, with a minimalist staging that focuses on lighting and contemporary choreography. Blanca Li, the stage director and choreographer, emphasizes the modern approach: 'Dance thus becomes another element in the narrative of the work.' The production features the voices of Vivica Genaux as Melissa, Lidia Vinyes-Curtis as Alcina, and Alberto Robert as Ruggiero.

Aarón Zapico, the musical director, highlights the opera's superior quality and feminist perspective: 'The feminine power that it exudes is overwhelming, always putting the female sex above the male sex.' Joan Matabosch, artistic director of Teatro Real, describes the work as 'a colossal work, with a very feminist perspective.'

Francesca Caccini was born in 1587 and was a prolific composer and singer, working for the Medici family. She was even the highest-paid musician at the court. Her work 'La liberazione di Ruggiero dall'isola d'Alcina' was written for the Archduchess Maria Magdalena of Austria to demonstrate her power and capability to govern. The opera was one of the first to be performed outside Italy, specifically in Poland in 1628.

The revival of Caccini's opera in Spain is more than just a performance; it is a recognition of the historical significance and the contributions of women composers. Zapico emphasizes the importance of this revival: 'We should not regret that it took so long to release this work, but rather commit ourselves to the future... to rescue creations by women that have never come to light and fight against the premeditated concealment of female composers of that time.'

The Spanish premiere of 'La liberazione di Ruggiero dall'isola d'Alcina' at Teatros del Canal in Madrid marks a significant moment in the history of opera. It not only celebrates Francesca Caccini's pioneering work but also highlights the ongoing efforts to recognize and promote the contributions of women in the arts.

Key Takeaways

• Francesca Caccini wrote the 1st known opera by a woman, "La liberazione di Ruggiero dall'isola d'Alcina", in 1625.
• The opera premiered in Italy and is now celebrating its 400th anniversary with a Spanish premiere in Madrid.
• The work is based on Ludovico Ariosto's epic poem "Orlando Furioso" and features advanced musical techniques.
• The Spanish premiere features a minimalist staging with a focus on lighting and contemporary choreography.
• The revival recognizes the historical significance of women composers and their contributions to the arts.