Recorders at the Met!

Recorder professionals Rachel Begley and Nina Stern played recorders at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in the March 2022 production of Handel’s Rodelinda, with Harry Bicket conducting. 

Handel, as is the case in all of his operas, does not use the recorders in many arias, but when he does, the effect can be magical, as in Rodelinda’s lament in Act 3, “Se'l mio duol non è si forte”.  This heartbreakingly beautiful aria embraces the special tonal quality of F minor on the alto recorder, then has the two recorders play in unison to become a single, richer, louder one, adding their grieving voice in counterpoint to Rodelinda’s.  Says Begley, "There’s barely a dry eye in the house by the end."  Playing with the world-class Metropolitan Opera Orchestra under Bicket’s extraordinary direction has been inspirational to both Begley and Stern.  Begley concludes, "Too bad there was no view of the magnificent scenery and costumes, nor of the fabulous singers, or indeed the horse or the sword fight, from the pit!"  


Nina Stern (left) and Rachel Begley practicing an aria together in the pit of the Metropolitan Opera, ahead of the dress rehearsal.  Photo: Wendy Powers