Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons
Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons is one of the world’s most beloved musical works. This year marks 300 years since Vivaldi composed the…
Confidencen Opera & Music Festival
This summer, three of Sweden’s leading Baroque singers take the stage at Confidencen in a collaboration with Den Andra Operan, presenting Francesca Caccini’s landmark work La liberazione di Ruggiero dall’isola d’Alcina (1625). Renowned mezzo-soprano Ann Hallenberg appears as the powerful Alcina, mezzo-soprano Kristina Hammarström as her rival Melissa, and tenor Martin Vanberg as the enchanted Ruggiero.
In La Liberazione, we encounter the knight Ruggiero, trapped within his own enchantment on Alcina’s island—a realm where reality bends to Alcina’s will and where desire and power are inextricably entwined. When the sorceress Melissa, disguised as Ruggiero’s mentor Atlante, arrives to guide him back to his true path, Alcina’s dominion is threatened.
What unfolds is a charged confrontation between two formidable women—two contrasting expressions of strength, freedom, and desire. When Melissa’s magic finally breaks the spell, Alcina’s world collapses, and Ruggiero escapes a kingdom where passion, power, and independence were allowed to flourish only briefly.
“La Liberazione is far more than a conventional tale of liberation. What fascinates me is the intense struggle between Alcina and Melissa—two women who shape reality in fundamentally different ways. Their confrontation reveals the cost of desire, the fragility of power, and the moment when illusion is forced to yield to reality.
In our production, we step directly into that field of tension, where liberation is never simple and where every victory casts a distinct shadow.”
La Liberazione is far more than a conventional tale of liberation. What fascinates me is the intense struggle between Alcina and Melissa—two women who shape reality in fundamentally different ways.
Director Jacopo Spirei
Opera introduction of La Liberazione
A short introduction of about 15 minutes is given one hour before the performance of La Liberazione in the café tent (or, in case of rain, in the Confidencen Room). Free admission, no booking required.
Book the complete package: a boat cruise from Strömkajen to Confidencen, food and drinks, a ticket to La Liberazione, and coach transfer back to the city. View dates and book your Opera Cruise here!
Confidencen Opera & Music Festival 2026 – Female Edition is a co‑production between Confidencen and Den Andra Operan. Den Andra Operan receives support from the Swedish Arts Council, Signatur Foundation Sweden, Region Stockholm, the Swedish Arts Grants Committee, and the Swedish Academy.
William Tarrach
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