Uncovering the truth behind this mysterious opera?! How to enjoy Handel's Scilla to the fullest

Go, see, and experience the world of art
File.24 Kanagawa Prefectural Music Hall 'Silla'
Miyuki Inoue (Magcal Editorial Department)

Handel's opera "Silla" is based on the later life of Lucius Cornelius Sulla, a real-life dictator of ancient Rome. Although the libretto and score still exist, it's uncertain whether it was ever performed in theaters at the time, and it's rarely performed even in modern Europe. From a layman's perspective, one might wonder, "Is that because it's poorly written?" (Excuse my rudeness!).
Such a mysterious opera is being performed at the Kanagawa Prefectural Music Hall. Prior to this, a lecture concert titled "Handel's Mysteries and the Opera 'Silla' - A Story of Ancient Rome" was held. This was a chance to get closer to the world of opera, which I had always felt was inaccessible! With my long-held longing in mind, I went to check it out.

The lecture began with "Silla from the Perspective of the Libretto" by Reiko Suwa, who is in charge of libretto translation for the Japan Handel Society. First, we listened to an introduction to the plot and characters.
Even so, the main character, Silla, is a terrible guy. He flirts with his friends' wives and girlfriends, and if they treat him coldly, he demotes both the couple and the woman, committing all sorts of power harassment and sexual harassment. However, the theme is also the subject of Mozart's opera "Lucio Silla," so perhaps it's a typical "tyrant" story.
While Suwa says the plot unfolds abruptly and disregards theory too much, he seems to find the structure and unique scenes appealing.
"While it may lack emotional depth, the idea of going beyond the confines of a sentimental opera is what makes it interesting. The characters, though rough around the edges, are vividly portrayed, so I don't think it's the 'worst libretto' by any means."
I see. I'm starting to think that a story might be more interesting if it has a "bad guy."

Next up is a presentation by Masashi Mikajiri, a member of the Japan Handel Society and a Handel scholar, entitled "Silla in History and Politics."
First, I was surprised to hear that "in this era, opera was a means of making political statements and asserting the legitimacy of the monarchy." But when you compare the time period in which *Silla* was written with an actual timeline, and then assign real historical figures to the characters, it really does fit perfectly.
The British succession dispute in the first half of the 18th century, and the War of the Spanish Succession—as we delve into history, the world of opera takes on a more realistic color. The idea that if a critical storyline is criticized by those in power, one can simply say, "Oh no, it's just a historical piece," is similar to the thinking behind Japanese ukiyo-e prints and kabuki theater.

Despite being meticulously written, there is no record of it ever being performed, and Mikajiri concludes that "it was never publicly performed." Why?
This is because, in the real world, John Churchill (aka Schilla), Duke of Marlborough, fell from power, eliminating the need to condemn his tyrannical behavior. In a sense, the work itself may have become outdated.
It might seem a little wasteful, but don't worry, much of the music was later reused in the opera "Amadisi." Apparently, this kind of "reuse" wasn't uncommon at the time.

Finally, there was a lecture by Masami Hara, Music Director of the Japan Handel Society, titled "The Music and Charm of 'Silla'." With a live performance by harpsichordist Akiko Ito, the lecture covered the opera's structure, composition process, and the effects of sound.
Unfortunately, I didn't understand much about the technical aspects of music. However, what I found interesting was how much the expression of the music changes depending on the tempo of the performance.
Many pieces in the score for "Silla" do not have tempo indications, leading Hara to speculate that "they were ultimately not performed." So, how would one determine the tempo for an actual performance? Apparently, there are various methods, such as considering the libretto or referring to pieces used in other operas, but since this is speculation, there is no single answer.
As an "experiment," Hara proposed two different tempos with varying interpretations, which she demonstrated through the singing of Mariko Higuchi (soprano) and Ayumi Yokomachi (mezzo-soprano).

I was amazed when I heard it! It's the same music, but just a difference in tempo changes the nuance so much. Music is truly profound...
I wonder if Fabio Biondi, the music director and conductor, will decide the tempo for each piece in this production of "Silla." It's a very interesting process, and I'm quite pleased that it will have its Japanese premiere.

* Handel (1685–1759)

Operas from Handel's time were often complex and difficult to understand. In that respect, "Silla" is extremely simple and compact. Yet, it is filled with beautiful and captivating music, so even beginners should be able to enjoy it.
Due to various "adult reasons," *Silla* was never performed at the time. Now, 300 years later, in Yokohama in 2020, it's something I definitely want to experience.

This event has been cancelled.
Handel's "Silla" (3 acts)
[Performance date] Saturday, February 29, 2020, Sunday, March 1, 2020
[Showtime] 14:00 (Doors open 13:00) *Pre-show talk from 13:15
[Venue] Kanagawa Prefectural Music Hall
[Music Director] Fabio Biondi (Conductor, Violin)
[Performed by] Europa Galante
[Cast]
Silla: Sonia Purina (contralto)
Claudio: Hilary Summers (contralto)
Metella: Seung-hye Im (soprano)
Lepido: Vivica Junod (mezzo-soprano)
Flavia: Roberta Invernizzi (soprano)
Celia: Maria Inohosa Montenegro (soprano)
God: Michael Bols (baritone)
[Director] Tadashi Miroku
[Art] tamako☆
[Costume] Mariko Yuko
[Lighting] Naoto Inaba (ASG)
[Script and subtitle translation] Asako Motoya
[Stage Director] Yu Osawa (The Staff)
[Price] S seat ¥15,000, A seat ¥12,000 (few seats remaining), B seat (SOLD OUT), Student (under 24 years old) ¥8,000
[Inquiries] Kanagawa Prefectural Music Hall Tel. 045-263-2567