It is a rare opera indeed that calls for one soprano diva and no fewer than six tenors. Mary Zimmerman’s fanciful production of Rossini’s drama, designed by Richard Hudson and with choreography by Graciela Daniele, provides the perfect setting for superstar Renée Fleming’s captivating performance of the title role. A beautiful but evil sorceress in the times of the Crusades, Armida sets out to regain the love of the Frankish knight Rinaldo (Lawrence Brownlee) by putting her magical spells on him. She at first succeeds to draw him into her web of sorcery, but ultimately divine intervention—and his fellow soldiers—free Rinaldo from his enchantment—much to the vengeful fury of Armida and her demons.
Sound | Gioacchino Rossini | Original Music Composer |
Directing | Mary Zimmerman | Director |
Writing | Giovanni Schmidt | Writer |
Directing | Gary Halvorson | Director |
Crew | Daniel Pelzig | Associate Choreographer |
Art | Mary Zimmerman | Production Design |
Crew | Graciela Daniele | Choreographer |
Lighting | Brian MacDevitt | Lighting Design |
Sound | Riccardo Frizza | Conductor |
Costume & Make-Up | Richard Hudson | Costume Design |
Art | Richard Hudson | Set Designer |
Crew | Paul Cremo | Dramaturgy |
Production | Mia Bongiovanni | Supervising Producer |
Costume & Make-Up | Matiki Anoff | Makeup Artist |
Production | Elena Park | Supervising Producer |
Crew | Ron Washburn | Technical Supervisor |
Production | Louisa Briccetti | Producer |
Production | Victoria Warivonchik | Producer |
Sound | Bill King | Sound Supervisor |
Production | Peter Gelb | Executive Producer |
Sound | Jay David Saks | Music Producer |
Costume & Make-Up | Nancy McNamara | Makeup Artist |
Crew | Torquato Tasso | Poem |