An Olympic opera in an Olympic year

Yet inexplicably,this production is not an official London 2012 Festival event. How could this,of all works,not have made the cut? A Garsington representative said that the festival directors had decided that Vivaldi’s opera was too close thematically to the actual summer Olympic Games. Go figure.

L’Olimpiade is an overlooked Vivaldi gem. For 22 years the company presented summer productions on the grounds of Garsington Manor,in Oxfordshire,often championing overlooked works.

Vivaldi,best known for his instrumental music,wrote nearly 50 operas and considered the genre central to his work. L’Olimpiade,though a more fanciful work,is also remarkable.

Perhaps one reason the London festival directors were wary of the opera was that the plot turns on a cheating scandal at the Olympic Games. Licida,the prince of Crete,adores Aristea,the daughter of King Clistene,though he had earlier promised himself to Argene,a noblewoman. The king,who runs the games,has offered his daughter as a prize to the victor. Prince Licida does not consider himself a good enough athlete to enter. So he asks his devoted friend Megacle,a former champion,to compete under his name,win Aristea and pass her on.

The obliging Megacle,who owes his life to his friend,agrees. But as it turns out,Megacle is in love with Aristea. What’s more,Argene whohas been living in the country disguised as a shepherdess,confides her story to Aristea. You get the idea. So everything rides on the outcome of the games.

Though the production uses a new edition of the score,the team took a playful liberty by interpolating Vivaldi instrumental music during a made-up scene depicting the actual competition. Five athletes box in a ring,put the shot and,finally,run a race around the stage and through the seating area. As Megacle crosses the finish line first,in slow motion,the orchestra plays a bit of the theme from Chariots of Fire.

Still,all ends happily.