Opera magic in Rostock: Handel's Orlando delights audiences!

Opera magic in Rostock: Handel's Orlando delights audiences!

On October 18, 2025, the Rostock University of Music and Theater (HMT) celebrated the eagerly awaited premiere of Georg Friedrich Handel's opera “Orlando”. Around 300 enthusiastic spectators came to enjoy the performance by the talented students of the vocal department and the university symphony orchestra. Lea Hartlaub shone as Orlando and Lisa Hübner as Angelica in the leading roles, directed by Frauke Meyer. The audience rewarded the performing artists with applause and long-lasting final applause.

The opera “Orlando” originally premiered in London in 1733 and, despite moderate success, enjoyed a remarkable career. Handel, who was responsible for Italian opera at the King's Theater between 1729 and 1734, wrote "Orlando" during his fourth season for his ensemble, which included the legendary alto castrato Senesino. His works, including well-known pieces such as “The Messiah” and “Giulio Cesare”, have had a lasting impact on European music, and he is considered one of the most influential composers of the Baroque era. mein-lernen.at performs some of his most beautiful works, which are often still performed today.

A fast-paced rehearsal program

In just six weeks, ten singing students rehearsed the demanding roles in this opera. The challenge of portraying the emotionally complex characters was approached with a lot of commitment and creativity. With a clear plot that addresses themes of love, fame and madness, “Orlando” offers a wide range of possibilities for the actors. Zoroastro, a crucial character, warns Orlando about his own destructive impulses and ultimately helps him overcome his madness.

Interestingly, the original premiere of “Orlando” shows some parallels to this new production. At its premiere in 1733, the opera experienced significant disruptions and the audience showed only limited interest, which affected the artistic course of the performances. Wikipedia) describes the appearance of the royal family at the first performance and the medical problems of the main actors, which led to the postponement of the premiere.

Future of current production

For HMT Rostock, “Orlando” is just the beginning of an exciting opera year. Many such productions capture the passion and ability of students who are still in the early stages of their careers. The next performances of “Orlando” are already scheduled for October 21-25, 2025 and are expected to generate the same enthusiasm as the premiere.

Handel's contribution to music history extends beyond his operas and extends to monumental works such as “Fireworks Music” or “Water Music”. These compositions show the diversity of his work and the ability to combine different styles, which is also noticeable in “Orlando”. Ultimately, the question remains whether Rostock, like London, can give opera a place in people's hearts.