Once again Hampstead Garden Opera brings opera back to London with a specially-commissioned new edition of Francesco Cavalli’s musical fable L’Egisto. Fully distanced and in accordance with Step 3 covid regulations, live staged opera returns to London with this rarely-seen lyrical masterpiece, fully-staged with baroque orchestra at the Cockpit Theatre, Marylebone, with our two casts giving alternating performances.
HGO's objective is to advance young singers, the opera professionals of tomorrow. Our productions have met with critical acclaim - we were finalists in the 2020 Off West End Awards and also received the National Operatic and Dramatic Association London Opera Award. In 2020 we brought back opera to London after lockdown with our production of Holst's Savitri, and are proud to present L'Egisto at The Cockpit.
Synopsis: The lovers Egisto (a descendant of Apollo) and Clori were abducted by pirates in Delos; Clori was sold in Zakynthos, where the pirates also captured Climene, on the day of her wedding to Lidio. A year later, Egisto and Climene escape to Zakynthos, to find Clori in love with Lidio and also courted by Climene’s brother Hipparco. In the course of 24 hours, dismay, remorse, plans of revenge, madness, and the quarrels and interference of the gods, lead to reconciliation and a happy ending.