Laurence Cummings opened the Göttingen International Handel Festival on Friday 15th May with Agrippina. Also starring in the production is countertenor Christopher Ainslie as Ottone.
Both artists have received critical acclaim from both British and German reviewers. Shirley Apthorp in the Financial Times writes that the Festival Orchestra is both “vivid” and “virtuosic” under Artistic Director Laurence Cummings and that he “keeps rollickingly on track, with unflagging energy and musicality.”
Christopher Ainslie – as well as receiving top marks for his shirtless appearances throughout the production – has some of the opera’s “most poignant arias” (Financial Times). He “convinces with highly expressive singing” (Göttinger Tageblatt) and “exude[s] the most impressive countertenor lustre” (Hessische Niedersächsische Allgemeine).
Laurence Cummings and his Festival Orchestra approach the production with both “sensitivity and playfulness” (Göttinger Tageblatt). As the Financial Times suggests, this Göttingen production is “well worth the journey”.
Performances run until 25th May. Further information can be found here.
