Magnificent bird
Featuring the music of Gabriel Kahane and Carla Kihlstedt
Performers
Narrator: Esther Talopram
Alcina: Cecilia Davis
Morgana: Kristin Knutson
Bradamante: Jackie Willis
Ruggiero: Kaisa Herrmann
Oronte: Nick Lin
Melisso: David Eduardo Guzmán Estrada
Musicians
Violin 1: Christine Annin
Violin 2: Anna Rasmussen
Viola: Felipe Vianna
Cello: Charlie Rasmussen
Traverso, Recorder, Piccolo: Monica Steger
Bassoon: Brian Ellingboe
Creative Team
Stage Director: Jill Anna Ponasik
Libretto Adaptation: Danielle Gedemer
Choreography: James Zager
Coaching: Janna Ernst
Lighting: Jason Fassl
Lots of help: Sarah Wilkinson
Photos: Mark Frohna
Reviews
"To me, opera is the Olympics of singing—an awesome feat for us mere mortals to behold. It was evident on Alcina’s opening night that those in the audience shared that sense of awe. I spied wide spontaneous grins, a man throwing his head back in laughter, and dreamy gazes as the notes poured out of singers and musicians alike."
~ Kelsey Lawler, Broadway World
“Great voices and great spirit”
~Dom Noth, Urban Milwaukee
"This is truly accessible opera on every possible level."
~Russ Bickerstaff, Shepherd Express
“To do something silly as if it were serious creates a most sublime comedy, like children playing pretend, and the audience can’t help but smile.”
~ Jeff Grygny, Play On Milwaukee
Previews
“An immersive experience for performers and audience…”
~ Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel
Read this interview with Kelsey Lawler from Broadway World
“So...it’s an opera. But it’s a Milwaukee Opera Theatre opera, so you know it’s going to be cool and intimate and all kinds of hip.”
~ Russ Bickerstaff, The Small Stage
“There will be a bit of magic in the air this fall when Milwaukee Opera Theatre (MOT) returns to the stage with Handel’s Alcina.”
~ David Luhrssen, Shepherd Express
“Handel as you’ve never seen (or heard) before”
~ Martha Brown, Urban Milwaukee