Rinaldo Tickets

I was very disappointed that they cast a woman in the role of Rinaldo. It is meant to be a very romantic opera with love, passion and attraction. Having a woman whose register who clearly sounded like a woman made it hard to get lost in the opera. Either find a contra tenor or alter the role slightly to be sung by a male tenor. I was hoping to be convinced over the course of the show but regretfully was not. I did however love the signing of the character Armina, especially her entrance and the use of the backdrop with they many doors and alterations throughout the show. The other lead soprano started the first Act a little weak but got better as the show went on. Overall, enjoyed the show but mostly wish Rinaldo had been a man!!!!

Costumes, scenery were sadly in opposition to the story itself, I just couldn't get past them enough to even appreciate "some" of the singing. And I say some, because the female in male roles were too difficult for me to let my imagination go enough to enjoy as well. Not something I would see again. Hopefully not something that will be produced again.

Very entertaining, fun. Beautiful theatre and atmosphere. Music was mostly great, some parts were breathtakingly beautiful, especially the slow and sad arias. Costumes were, hmm, ok. PBO was awesome, as always.

Saw the 3/19/13 performance. The singers & orchestra were excellent to my ears. The production, however, was a bit disconcerting. The costumes, scenery, props, & staging from the opening curtain suggested that a farce/parody was pending. They contrasted starkly with the musical artistry. The ending of ACT III finalized the lite-hearted comic nature of this production. Would like to see a more serious rendition sometime for counter-point. Nonetheless, it made for an entertaining evening.

I mentioned to a friend that I had been to see "RInaldo" at Portland Opera. He said we had seen it there some years before. Turns out what he remembered was "The Merchant of Venice" by Reynaldo Hahn, November, 1996.