September 2026 will be all about RODRIGO by G.F. Händel
Deadline for applications February 1st.
Our version of this opera will be around 2x 50 minutes and has 6 roles, 12 with a double cast.
Rodrigo: soprano/mezzo
Esilena: soprano
Florinda: soprano
Giuliano: (mezzo)soprano (could be tenor too)
Evanco: soprano
Fernando: mezzo/countertenor
Note: At the time of writing the role of Fernando has been fully cast
The score:
There is a Rodrigo score online. There are also enough video’s audio examples online. You will get the complete cut from us.
The story in a nutshell:
The opera is set in Spain during the reign of King Rodrigo, who has seized the throne by killing his rival, Vitizza. Since then, Rodrigo’s conduct has deteriorated sharply: he has abandoned his loyal wife, Esilena, and had an affair with Florinda, the sister of Giuliano. Florinda is pregnant with his child and demands that Rodrigo honor his promise to marry her. Rodrigo, however, no longer intends to keep his word.
Giuliano, outraged by the dishonor done to his family, joins the rebels. The uprising is led by Evanco, the son of the murdered Vitizza, who holds the rightful claim to the Spanish throne. Fernando, a treacherous courtier, also plays a double game as he seeks to benefit from the power struggle.
When war breaks out with full force, Rodrigo suffers a crushing defeat and is taken prisoner. Florinda is about to kill him in revenge, but Esilena steps forward. She begs Florinda to show mercy and demonstrates that she is even willing to give up her own position in order to restore peace and protect Florinda’s child. Her nobility of spirit moves Florinda deeply.
Rodrigo expresses remorse and acknowledges his guilt. In the end, it is decided that Evanco will take up the kingship. He marries Florinda, ensuring a legitimate future for her son. Rodrigo relinquishes his power and is spared.
The opera concludes with reconciliation, a new ruler, and the hope of a more just era.
TEAM:
Jörn Boysen: Musical Director
Meneka Senn : Producer / Director
Saskia Pfaeltzer: Set design
Gregor Lamers: Production leader on location
Sjoerd van de Velde: set and prop building
Dates:
The project takes place from:
SATURDAY september 12 to october 4th 2026
Arrival: september 11
Departure october 5th
We will make a detailed planning for the stage rehearsals. You do not need to be in teh rehearsal every day all day.
At the beginning of the project you can give us your availibility and we will make a schedule that fits.
If a scene is rehearseld when you are ot availible but your double cast is, its your responsibility to talk it over together. In the days of the runs, we will address those scenes again.
Sitzprobe is tuesday september 22nd, FOR ALL but again, with a schedule (morning/midday).
Same counts for the BO’s and the general dress rehearsals.
Performances: sept 25,26
Concert september 13,27
Performances: okt 1, 2,3,4
Location:
There are 2 rehearsal locations. Most of the rehearsals will take place in teh Maranathakerk in The Hague.
On sundays we will also use a space in Utrecht, in the cutural center called Parnassos , in the center of Utrecht.
Staging rehearsals:
There are a lot of staging rehearsals where we need your precise attention. Outsite of the main hall, you can talk and eat etc. INside the hall, we are working.
There are 2 shows in the Amstelkerk Amsterdam. For these concerts all members of the collective have 1 free ticket and 1 discount ticket. (discount code comes asap)
We are working towards 4 other shows. When all costs of these shows are covered, the profit is split among the singers.
Concert:
We plan 1 or 2 gala concerts during the project in places outside of The Hague or Utrecht. These are concerts for the Foundation where the ticket sales goes to the project. All musicians work free of charge on this. The repertoire is of your own choice, but from the baroque period. Your will work together with your colleagues and Jörn Boysen to make it a reat concert. Rehearsals for this concerts TBA.
For this concert, its not obligatory to sing if you don’t want to, but your attendance in the hall is highly appreciated.
WHY do we do this? Why do we produce opera in this way?
We have a vision. A long term one. We started last year with La Calisto. Now Rodrigo will follow and next year another Cavalli opera will be our main focus. With 3 productions we can apply for bigger funding opprtunities in the Nethelands because we have an idea: The full Monteverdi Cycle: L’Orfeo, Ulysse, Poppea. All three over 3 years, done properly with everything top notch.
So join our vision, join our journey and keep the focus on the horizon!
How does it work?
The Yala Music Opera Collective works in a different way that many other opera projects.
Every singer invests EUR 900,- excl BTW into the collective. From this all BASIC NEEDED things can be paid to make the production and get everything rolling. Think about: Rehearsal space, instrumentalists, stages parts, costumes, instrument hire, performance location, marketing, posters, lamps, camera and photographers, etc.etc. The investment can be paid in 2 or 3 installments.
Important: The profit from the 4 extra shows will be divided over the singers. So after the normals costs the production always has, an equal part of the profit will be divided. This way you can earn part of your investment back.
In 2025 we produced La Calisto by Cavalli together. Here is a small video of its premiere.
What is different from other similar projects?
Although the booking of the performances and the organizing of the general rehearsals is done by Yala Music, all members of the collective have other tasks to help get the production rolling during the rehearsal process and the performances.
Think about basic things: getting the coffee and tea ready during rehearsal days, cleaning up the dressing rooms after the show, helping out with putting the stage up before the show, being in charge of subtitles during the show, etc etc. We do expect all people to be present at all shows to help out with these tasks and to support their colleagues.
Dutch speakers or people living in the Netherlands are also required to help out with visiting different radio broadcasts to sing and/or talk about the project, spread around posters/flyers etc. And if you own a car: bring props to the different locations , help at the ticket stand before the performance etc etc.
During an online meeting before September 2026 we will allocate all tasks together.
The operacollective does things together. Together we build this opera production. Yes, it takes a lot of extra work, extra hours, extra energy, extra thoughts, but right now, our audience, our soul needs to do things together again, as a small and passionate community in a harsh world. And this will bring you more inspiration, more happiness, more connection and motivation for anything you do.
We look for people who want to be part of this mindset, working and learning together and are not afraid of doing something extra. In a world where world leaders are actively trying to divide us, let us remember what we have in common.
Important: if you just want to sing a role for your CV, this is not the right place for you.
For this project, you do not have to live in the Netherlands, but it is preferred, since all members of the cast have other tasks for which some knowledge of Dutch and knowing your way around could come in handy. However, we have enough tasks for non dutch residents/ non dutch speakers. Please note that you have to be responsible for your own accomodation and travel costs and that there is a gap of 3 days between the premiere weekend and the other shows.
At Yala Music Foundation we will continue to apply for funding for this project, but the subsidy landscape is pretty tough now. Even with a new government coming, I fear it will get worse, therefore the initial personal investment of the singers in the opera project is necessary to even get started.
If you are interested to see what the Yala Music Opera Collective did in 2025, look at its website: www.operacollective.nl
Singers interested in joining our RODRIGO operaproject, can send an email to: join.yalamusic@gmail.com
Send us a a video of you singing any kind of baroque aria and a max 1 A4 on WHY you think you fit the role and this particular project.
all pictures by Jean van Lingen