Rinaldo
Detroit Opera
1526 Broadway St.
Detroit
March 2, 2025
A hospital bed doubles as a ship crashing its way through waves. Blue surgical gloves become armor for a newly christened knight. A window in a children’s pediatric ward becomes a portal for adventure. Doctors double as heroes and villains, playing double duty and delivering strong performances on each side of reality.
The wild imagination of a sick kid powers “Rinaldo,” Detroit Opera’s take of Handel’s 314-year-old opera in a contemporary context in a time when healthcare (or lack thereof) is on the mind of many Americans.
A strong sense of whimsy and an embrace of comedy power director Louisa Proske’s “Rinaldo,” but lighthearted isn’t the word that comes to mind. Although that might depend on your own life experiences and how much time you’ve spent visiting sick loved ones in critical care at a hospital.
After intermission of Tuesday's performance, I was balling my eyes out. So was everyone I saw it with. I didn’t have time to check everyone else’s eyes for tears, but I’d bet good money there was enough to fill the ocean that Rinaldo’s hospital bed-turned-boat eventually sails over to request his love Almirena (wonderfully portrayed by Elena Villalón).
Handel originally set one of his most popular baroque works during the First Crusade, where knights and battles and war and love dominate.
Those classic storytelling pillars remain, but everything from Matt Saunders’ supreme set design to Jorge Cousineau’s projections and Amith Chandrashakar’s top-notch lighting design brought those elements into 2025 with ease. Conductor Roberto Kalb’s command of Handel’s music was near perfection.
Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo stole the show as Rinaldo, but Nicole Heaston’s role as the menacing Armida was not far behind. When they shared the stage together, it was some of the most compelling singing and acting I’ve seen during creative director Yuval Sharon’s reign at Detroit Opera (going on five years and counting).
I’ve seen many shows at Detroit Opera. At this point, I’m pissed if I miss anything here. It’s an absolute historic run by this arts organization. Even if you don’t think you like opera, what’s happening at Detroit Opera will convert you. Sharon and his taste have certainly converted me.
“Rinaldo” is, without a doubt, the best work I’ve seen them do yet. It stuck to my ribs for days, had me reflecting on my own experiences with losing a loved one in a hospital and wanting to imagine anything else as a form of escape.
