John Eliot Gardiner with the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloist celebrate the 450th birthday of the 17th century genius and founding father of the opera.
There is little doubt that the novelty of his works surpassed the art of his ancestors and that Monteverdi thus ushered in a new age of music. Monteverdi was always fascinated by man's passions and devoted his entire life to developing techniques to translate them into music. Thus he can be directly compared with the greatest artists and scientists of the early 17th century, such as Galileo, Bacon, Shakespeare, Cervantes, Caravaggio and Rubens.
The top-class ensemble consists of internationally renowned soloists as well as members of the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists. Under the direction of Sir John Eliot Gardiner, the three great Monteverdi operas are performed and semi-concerted by Elsa Rooke. The orchestra, which uses historical instruments from Monteverdi's time, plays a central role, as it is placed on stage and integrated into the plot.
The highlight of this international tour, which runs from April to October 2017, are the performances at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice as well as at the Salzburg Festival, the Berliner Festspiele and the Lucerne Festival.

Content:
Penelope despairs of her fate and summons the distant Ulisse (Odysseus) to return. When Ulisse finally returns to Ithaca after a chain of accidents, he must beware of impudent guests, royal clients of the Penelope, who are characterized by special persistence and intrusiveness. Ulisse disguises herself as a beggar and asks Eumete for hospitality. Meanwhile, the goddess Minerva returns Ulisse's son, Telemaco, to Ithaca, and the two celebrate a happy reunion. Eumete announces Penelope the arrival of Telemaco and Ulisses' expected return. Telemaco is in the way of the suitors, and they decide to kill him. The suitors offer themselves to Penelope once again. She determines that the one who draws the bow of Ulisse most easily should receive her. Ulisse, disguised as a beggar, is given the opportunity to try and shoot the suitors. Eumete tells Penelope that the old man who killed the suitors is Ulisse. She doesn't believe him. When Ulisse appears, Penelope still doesn't believe him that he is her husband. When he describes the blanket of the marriage bed, she recognizes him.