The Royal Opera’s Linbury Theatre Season begins with a new production of Giustino directed by the acclaimed Joe Hill-Gibbins. This marks Hill-Gibbins’ debut with the Royal Opera, following his renowned works such as Greek (Scottish Opera), Powder Her Face, Duke Bluebeard’s Castle, and The Marriage of Figaro (English National Opera). He has also directed for prestigious venues across the West End, Young Vic, Royal Court, National Theatre, Almeida Theatre, and Shakespeare’s Globe, showcasing his versatility with recent hits like Ghosts.
Giustino is the latest addition to The Royal Opera’s Handel series and is a co-production with the specialist baroque ensemble La Nuova Musica. Under the direction of Music Director David Bates, they will perform Handel’s score in a freshly arranged format. This marks La Nuova Musica’s debut at The Royal Opera, though they are well-known for their performances at Wigmore Hall and the London Handel Festival.
The creative team for Giustino features several of Hill-Gibbins’ long-time collaborators, including designer Rosanna Vize, Associate Director Jenny Ogilvie, and lighting designer James Farncombe.
The cast includes esteemed baroque artists alongside promising new talents. Polly Leech makes her debut as Giustino, while Mireille Asselin and Esme Bronwen-Smith take on the roles of Arianna/La Fortuna and Leocasta, respectively. Keri Fuge will portray Anastasio, and Jake Arditti returns to the Linbury Theatre as Amanzio after previously appearing in SUM, created by Max Richter and Wayne McGregor. Benjamin Hulett takes on the role of Vitaliano, following his cover role as Francois in A Quiet Place last season, and Jonathan Lemalu will perform as Polidarte.
Director Joe Hill-Gibbins expressed his enthusiasm for this project, stating, “I’m thrilled to present my first production with The Royal Opera with Giustino, a work that was originally created for this theatre in the 1700s and has not been seen there since.”
He further described Giustino as a simple yet profound tale of a young boy transitioning into adulthood. The music’s richness invites audiences to explore themes of growth, the complexities of personal and professional relationships, and what we gain or lose in the process.
“I can’t wait for audiences to experience the show. It’s a pleasure to collaborate with the remarkable La Nuova Musica and our outstanding cast to bring Giustino to life,” Hill-Gibbins added.
