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Handel's Ariodante from the Royal Ballet and Opera, the site of its premiere during Handel's first Covent Garden season in 1735.

Ariodante leads a charmed life - he's young, in love, and his fianc茅e, Ginevra, is first in line to the throne. But when a jealous rival conspires against them, Ginevra, falsely accused of infidelity, is stripped of her status, while Ariodante, believing himself betrayed, seeks oblivion. Handel's only opera set in the British Isles, the music reveals new emotional and dramatic depths, with fully rounded characters and some dazzling vocal fireworks.

In the first full production here since its 1735 premiere, a stunning cast includes Canadian mezzo-soprano Emily D'Angelo, taking on a role originally written for one of Handel's star castratos. Her wronged Ginevra is sung by American soprano Jacquelyn Stucker and the malevolent Polinesso by French Countertenor Christophe Dumaux. Baroque specialist Stefano Montanari conducts and plays violin from the podium.

Recorded in December, Andrew McGregor presents and is joined in the box by Handel expert Suzanne Aspden to talk about Handel's glorious score.

Handel: Ariodante

Ariodante ..... Emily D'Angelo (mezzo-soprano)
Ginevra ..... Jacquelyn Stucker (soprano)
Polinesso ..... Christophe Dumaux (countertenor)
Dalinda ..... Elena Villal贸n (soprano)
Lurcanio ..... Ed Lyon (tenor)
King of Scotland ..... Peter Kellner (bass)
Odoardo ..... Emyr Lloyd Jones (tenor)
Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Stefano Montanari (conductor)