Garsington Opera

This is the first British production of Armida, one of Rossini’s Neapolitan masterpieces, a fantasy set during the Crusades and is taken from La Gerusalemme liberata, by the 16th century Italian poet Tasso.

In a world of warriors, demons and spirits, Armida is a beautiful princess and sorceress from Damascus. She has come on behalf of dark forces to undermine the paladins, but has fallen in love with Rinaldo, the most heroic of the paladin knights. The story follows Rinaldo’s battle for honour amidst his passion and enthralment, and Armida’s struggle between her desire to love and her need for revenge. The music for Armida and no less than six knights - all tenors - reveals Rossini at his dazzling best and reaches its conclusion in an enchanted garden.

Armida is directed by Martin Duncan, and conducted by David Parry. The cast includes Jessica Pratt (Armida) and Victor Ryan Robertson (Rinaldo).