Email this Article Printer-friendly RELATED ARTICLES: 04 Apr 2007 -- Friends in High Places

By Matthew Westphal
and Matt Blank
05 Apr 2007

Political intrigue, romantic intrigue, onstage murder and countertenors — Flavio has it all.

Handel's lively opera seria, in a staging by Chas Rader-Shieber, opened last night at New York City Opera.

Countertenor David Walker stars as the titular monarch, all love-struck and scheming; fellow falsettist Gerald Thompson plays the knight Guido, the opera's bridegroom-to be. Marguerite Krull, a very promising mezzo who has morphed into an impressive high coloratura soprano, is the noble-minded Emilia, Guido's bride (until all the complications ensue). Mezzo Kathryn Allyn sings Teodata, the object of King Flavio's affections, and mezzo Katherine Rohrer is Vitige, Teodata's secret lover (and the King's lieutenant). Bass Jan Opalach, a City Opera stalwart, plays Emilia's father Lotario — who gets challenged to a duel by prospective son-in-law.

Sounds like an exciting evening, no? Flavio receives further performances on April 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 21 at the New York State Theater in Lincoln Center; more information and tickets are available at www.nycopera.com.

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All photos by Carol Rosegg.

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