Curtis Opera Theatre: L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato (Photo Roundup)

Curtis Opera Theatre‘s daring new production of George Frideric Handel’s L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato (The Cheerful Man, the Thoughtful Man, and the Moderate Man) opened the Curtis Opera Theatre’s 2023–24 season on November 10 and 12 at the Philadelphia Film Center.

Based on two poems by John Milton, this theatrical pastoral ode featured staging and costume design by acclaimed director Chas Rader-Shieber. Under the baton of Nicholas McGegan, “one of the finest baroque conductors of his generation” (Independent), L’Allegro showcased an exciting cast of rising young opera stars accompanied by members of the Curtis Symphony Orchestra.

Check out photo highlights below, showcasing the casts of L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, courtesy of Ashley E. Smith/Wide Eyed Studios.

  • Tenor Jackson Allen performs "Haste Thee Nymph" with (L-R): Maya Mor Mitrani, Hongrui Ren, Evan Gray, and Nathan Schludecker. Photo by Ashley E. Smith/Wide Eyed Studios.
  • Jackson Allen and Juliette Tacchino sing the duet "As steals the morn upon the night." Photo by Ashley E. Smith/Wide Eyed Studios.
  • Mezzo-soprano Katie Trigg opens the second act of "L'Allegro" with "Hence, vain deluding Joys." Photo by Ashley E. Smith/Wide Eyed Studios.
  • L'Allegro and il Penseroso slowly becoming Moderato. Top row (L-R): Evan Gray, Dalia Medovnikov, Katie Trigg, Sarah Fleiss, Sam Higgins, Shikta Mukherjee, Juliet Rand. Bottom row (L-R): Maya Mor Mitrani, Juliette Tacchino, Jackson Allen, and Hongrui Ren. Photo by Ashley E. Smith/Wide Eyed Studios.
  • Maya Mor Mitrani (part of the L'Allegro troupe) flaunts her bright red shoes in front of the il Penseroso vocalists. Second row (L-R): Shikta Mukherjee, Katie Trigg, Dalia Medovnikov, and Sam Higgins. Ashley E. Smith/Wide Eyed Studios.
  • The L'Allegro chorus (L-R): Maya Mor Mitrani, Evan Gray, Jackson Allen, and Hongrui Ren. Photo by Ashley E. Smith/Wide Eyed Studios.
  • Katie Trigg performs the aria "Sometimes let gorgeous tragedy" as the melancholic il Penseroso chorus looks on (L-R): Dalia Medovnikov, Shikta Mukherjee, Sam Higgins, Juliette Tacchino, and Juliet Rand. Photo by Ashley E. Smith/Wide Eyed Studios.
  • Sarah Fleiss, Dalia Medovnikov, and Jackson Allen. Photo by Ashley E. Smith/Wide Eyed Studios.
  • Jackson Allen (on table) and the L'Allegro chorus sing "Hence, loathed Melancholy" as they address the il Penseroso chorus. Photo by Ashley E. Smith/Wide Eyed Studios.
  • Evan Gray sings "If I give thee honour due" before the cast of "L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato." Photo by Ashley E. Smith/Wide Eyed Studios.
  • Maya Mor Mitrani holds her red shoes high and sings "Mirth, admit me of thy crew." Photo by Ashley E. Smith/Wide Eyed Studios.
  • Evan Gray, Dalia Medovnikov, Maya Mor Mitrani, Katie Trigg, and Juliette Tacchino. Photo by Ashley E. Smith/Wide Eyed Studios.
  • Juliette Tacchino sings "Sweet Bird, that shun'st" from Act I of "L'Allegro, il Penseroso, ed il Moderato." Photo by Ashley E. Smith/Wide Eyed Studios.
  • Jackson Allen competes for the spotlight with Hongrui Ren in Act II. Photo by Ashley E. Smith/Wide Eyed Studios.
  • Juliette Tacchino sings "But oh! Sad virgin." Photo by Ashley E. Smith/Wide Eyed Studios.
  • Dalia Medovnikov has a moment of reflection, singing "There let the pealing organ blow." Photo by Ashley E. Smith/Wide Eyed Studios.
  • Baritone Nathan Schludecker sings "Mountains, on whose barren breast" to the il Penseroso chorus. Photo by Ashley E. Smith/Wide Eyed Studios.
  • Countertenor Sam Higgins performs the plaintive aria "May at last my weary age." Photo by Ashley E. Smith/Wide Eyed Studios.
  • Sarah Fleiss, Sam Higgins, Juliette Tacchino, and Juliet Rand. Photo by Ashley E. Smith/Wide Eyed Studios.
  • "Thy pleasures, Moderation give." The final tableau of the opera, as L'Allegro and il Penseroso become il Moderato. (L-R): Juliet Rand, Juliette Tacchino, Dalia Medovnikov, Sarah Fleiss, Evan Gray, Maya Mor Mitrani, Jackson Allen, and Sam Higgins. Photo by Ashley E. Smith/Wide Eyed Studios.
  • Evan Gray sings the aria "Mirth, admit me of thy crew" accompanied by horn player Kristin Andlauer. Photo by Ashley E. Smith/Wide Eyed Studios.

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