Talk:Alcina

I propose to delete the information that Handel "conducted" the first performance. The source is an italian language site, and uses the word "dirige" which acceptably translates as "conducts", but what Handel in fact seems to have done is to influence the performance from one of the two haarpsichords commonly used, rather than, as a modern conductor, from a rostrum. The word "directed" probably covers most, if not all, of what he actually did. Delahays (talk) 12:27, 27 August 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Possible inaccuracies

1. The article states that the Morgana sings the final aria of Act I. She does indeed sing it in a certain German production available on youtube, but in the libretto to which a link is included at the bottom of this wikipedia article the aria is sung by Alcina. I find the libretto more credible for two reasons. First, it is normal in a Handel opera for the star to have several arias and for an act to end with an aria by the star. Second, the production mentioned takes several other liberties with the opera, deleting two arias and moving a third

2. We are told that from the end of Act II until the end of the opera, "Alcina is depicted sympathetically." Considering the fact that one of the last things Alcina does in the opera is try to get Oberto to kill his own father, is this statement even remotely accurate? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2.158.38.7 (talk) 16:08, 28 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]

I've checked the libretto, and you are correct about the end of act 1, which is also confirmed by the summary at opera-opera.com.au . Feel free to correct the article's errors. -- Michael Bednarek (talk) 11:06, 6 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]