In this hypnotic and heartbreaking musical retelling of Homer’s Odyssey, separation and loss take their toll on true love. One of the earliest operas ever written, Ulisse explores the timeless story of love lost then rediscovered.

Inside the Opera preshow talk begins one hour before the curtain.  Capacity limited

First performed in February 1641 at Venice’s Teatro San Cassiano

“Turn toward home, Ulysses.
Penelope waits for you.
She sighs, and she suffers in silence.
Turn toward home, Ulysses!”
(Ulysses’ wife Penelope)

The world used to be different. Men would go off to war and be missing for twenty years. Women would wait – patient and unknowing – in the hope that their husbands would return. Life would never be the same, of course, but hope was all they had. Men and women realized that their fates were not their own, and they looked to someone more powerful than themselves to help them through.

Perhaps the world isn’t that different at all. We still hope against hope when the stakes are high, and love sometimes is enough. And the feeling of not being in control of our own destiny is as timeless as the story of Ulysses.

In Homer’s Odyssey, Ulysses fought in the Trojan Wars and survived a trip home so harrowing that it coined a new word in the English language. Monteverdi’s opera begins near the end of Ulysses’ story – his homecoming – and in doing so, it shines a light on his wife Penelope, who has waited patiently and faithfully for twenty years.

All Baroque opera included obligatory appearances by gods and goddesses, and Ulisse is no different. The goddess of wisdom makes it possible for Ulysses to go back home undetected – to see that Penelope has waited for him, and to drive away the men who are trying to move in on both his wife and his property. The gods of love, fortune, and time warn us that life is fragile and that to believe in the power of men is folly. The messy and vital life of Penelope’s household is filled out by a large cast of (over 20) characters – confidantes, young lovers, drunkards, and opportunists.

At 358 years old, Ulisse is one of the earliest operas ever written. Yet its message remains potent with every telling. Monteverdi’s music is hypnotic and somewhat exotic. The typical opera orchestra of violins, cellos, clarinets, and horns is replaced by a striking combination of lutes, harpsichords, viols, and recorders. Put aside your expectations and stereotypes and hear the story of Ulysses and Penelope.

Director – James Marvel
Scenic Design – Eric Allgeier
Costume Design – Andrea Huelse
Lighting Design – Robert H. Grimes
Video and Projections Design – S. Katy Tucker
Hair & Makeup – Elsen Associates


The Gods
Minerva – Ava Pine
Fortuna/Giunone – Alicia Gianni
Tempo/Nettuno – Nicholas Masters
Amor – Hana Park
Giove – Daniel Billings

The Mortals
Ulisse – Dominic Armstrong
Penelope – Jamie Barton
Telemaco – Chad Sloan
Melanto – Jamie Van Eyck
Eumete – Paul Appleby
Eurimaco/Pisandro – David Portillo
Ericlea – Rena Harms
Anfinomo – Matthew Hanscom
Antinoo – Carlos Monzón
Iro – Diego Torre

Feaci – Daniel Anderson, Timothy McDevitt & Douglas Yocum