Watch Handel - The Triumph of Time and Truth

Handel - The Triumph of Time and Truth is a magnificent opera production directed by acclaimed stage director Barrie Kosky that delivers an extraordinary interpretation of George Frideric Handel’s final oratorio, which he composed in 1757. Created for the 2017 Aix-en-Provence Festival, Kosky's staging explores the mesmerizing themes of beauty’s inevitable decay and the joy of spiritual completion.

The talented cast of the production is led by the incredible Michael Spyres who plays the character of Beauty against the Clock, and Canadian soprano Emöke Baráth who embodies the figure of Truth.

Michael Spyres delivers an outstanding performance as Beauty, bringing to the stage an impressive range of vocal techniques and baroque modulations that make his character both regal and seductive. Emöke Baráth delivers a powerful interpretation of Truth, displaying a crystalline voice that defies Time and moves the audience with its purity.

The orchestra, Les Talens Lyriques, conducted by the renowned French conductor Emmanuelle Haim, adds depth and dimension to Handel's music. The musicians offer an impeccable execution of Handel’s complex score, recreating the complex textures and harmonies that make the composition so stunning.

The stage set of The Triumph of Time and Truth has been flawlessly designed by Rebecca Ringst, with a color palette that is both opulent and elegant, and an ingenious series of mechanisms that allows the characters to interact seamlessly with the set.

The opera is structured in three parts, each of which represents a stage in Beauty and Time's relationship. Handel's music and Kosky's staging combine to give the narrative an unusual energy that pulses with beauty, eroticism, and warmth.

As the opera unfolds, the audience experiences a choir of angels who reveal the spiritual nature of Beauty, singing that ''The joys of heaven are born of flowers." In the opera's third part, Beauty finally becomes the personification of Truth herself, holding a mirror to Time, who ultimately reveals his own despair and impotence.

This interpretation of Handel's favourite work brings a fresh perspective to the oratorio, captivating the audience with its powerful themes and lavish performances. The director’s vision and the cast's virtuosity combine to create one of the most awe-inspiring productions of Handel's music in recent times.

In conclusion, Handel - The Triumph of Time and Truth is an extraordinary production that captures the essence of Handel's final oratorio, bringing it to life with a level of craftmanship and artistry that is second to none. With its stunning performances, remarkable orchestration, and exceptional direction, this opera is a must-see for anyone who loves Handel or baroque music.