Pittsburgh stages Handel near-premiere
mainPittsburgh Opera has announced a week of January performances for Handel’s Riccardo Primo, retitled Richard the Lionheart for devotees of English history.
The opera – Handel’s third in London, dated 1727 – was revived at Sadler’s Wells in 1964. Its US premiere was given last summer at St Louis. This will be only its second US appearance.
The role of Richard, written for a castrato, will be sung by a woman.
I don’t understand the comment “Handel’s third in London”. 3rd opera in London? Riccardo Primo was perhaps his 16th or 17th opera in London, no?