Philippe Jaroussky as Ruggiero is in thrall to Patricia Petibon as the sorceress Alcina in Katie Mitchellâs virtuosic production of Handelâs opera from the 2015 Aix-en-Provence Festival, described by Bachtrack as âa night of a thousand delightsâ. Conducted by Andrea Marcon, this was, in the words of Opera News, âmusically ⊠a performance of the highest festival levelâ. The production of Alcina, by the British director Katie Mitchell, was welcomed by the Financial Times as âmeticulously executed âŠ, rich in detail, consummately polishedâ. As the New York Times wrote: âIt involves a huge sorcery machine for turning people into animals (or whatever). And Ms. Mitchell works magic of her own onstage, constantly showing the enchantresses Alcina and Morgana alternating between glamorous public personas and their âreal lifeâ, older, private selves âŠThere are also bits of simulated sex, mingling genders and suggesting, among other things, inventive new ways to hit high notes.â
