Opera spectacle in Potsdam: Orlando Generoso inspires with emotions!

Opera spectacle in Potsdam: Orlando Generoso inspires with emotions!

Potsdam, Deutschland - In an inspiring atmosphere, the opera "Orlando Generoso" by the composer Agostino Steffani was performed in the beautiful orangery chaless Sanssouci on July 13, 2025. Under the direction of Dorothee Oberlinger, the ensemble not only celebrated Steffani's musical talent in 1700, but also impressed with an outstanding acting performance of his talented soloists. The performance was held as part of the Musikfiele Potsdam Sanssouci and captivated numerous visitors.

originally premiered in 1691 at the Hanover farm, the opera is based on a section from Ludovico Ariosto's "Orlando Furioso". This imaginative story takes the audience into a busy version of China, where the knight Orlando has fallen into his love for Angelica, the daughter of King Galafro. The plot is characterized by complex and exhausting paths of love that drive Orlando to the edge of madness. In the end, the hero that was once so victorious is "great", which optimally brings out the entire emotional depth of the characters.

virtuosity and respect for tradition

The musical composition of Steffanis, which was estimated by Bach and Handel, has a remarkable virtuosity and great contrasts. The composer succeeds in combining Italian melody with French shape, which makes music an experience for the ears. Interestingly, production contains more duets than usual at the time, which gives the baroque opera a refreshing lightness and frees it from rigid patterns. Dorothee Oberlinger and her ensemble showed a deep understanding of the style of Steffanis and easily switched between soulful arias and lively dance passages.

The line -up was remarkable. Terry Wey took the role of Orlando with emotional intensity, while Hélène Walter shone as Angelica and Natalia Kawalek as a medoro with flexibility and warmth. Shira Patchornik as Bradamante and Morten Grove Frandsen as Ruggiero showed strong stage presence and a continuous emotional depth that captivated the audience. Florian Götz as Atlante and Gabriel Diaz in the role of the Tyrannian Galafro contributed to the complex story, which was dynamically modernized by the brilliant direction of Jean Renshaw.

a unique venue

The acoustics in the orange -like were particularly gratifying, which originally served as a winter garden for exotic plants. The scene was designed minimalistically, with two white walls and a table that underlined the connection to the plot. The room was used effectively: the orchestra was placed on increased platforms, while the singers appeared on a slightly raised stage. Ambient bird singing from the neighboring Sanssouci gardens gave the performance a poetic note.

The production has been described as outstanding and gives hope that it will be listed again in the future. This performance of "Orlando Generoso" impressively brings out the emotional range and the musical diversity of Steffanis. One thing is clear: the opera has conquered the hearts of the audience and once again shows how timeless and moving the art form opera can be.

Further information can be found in the reports of Radio Drei , Opera wire and The opera friend .