Farnace

Vivaldi’s operas rarely get the attention they deserve, and Farnace is no exception. Written in 1724 and containing one of Vivaldi’s most famous arias, Gelido in ogni vena, it tells the story of Farnace, the king of Pontus, in what is now Turkey. Facing defeat at the hands of the Romans, Farnace commands his wife Tamiri to kill their son and then herself. Meanwhile, Tamiri’s mother Berenice is in league with the Roman emperor to kill Farnace and take control of the kingdom. As usual, Pinchgut has assembled an outstanding cast, with acclaimed countertenor Christopher Lowrey (Theodora) taking on the title role, and Jacqueline Dark as the scheming Berenice. Joining them is Taryn Fiebig (Metamorphosis) and Helen Sherman (Bajazet), along with Australian countertenor Max Riebl making his Pinchgut debut.