Step into The Queen's Closet, a visionary 17th-century musical company tailored for the 21st century. Their mission is to bring the past to life for contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand. In the 17th century, music was vibrant, cutting-edge, and meant to be shared through singing and dancing. Utilising historical equipment and practices, The Queen's Closet revives early baroque music on its own terms, creating a profound connection with modern listeners. Embracing the spirit of innovation, The Queen's Closet performs as if each composition is being heard for the first time. For this year's Classical on Cuba, The Queen’s Closet have developed a cycle of three exciting new ‘mini-operas’ entitled Furioso. Ludovico Ariosto’s 1532 epic poem, Orlando Furioso, has been the inspiration for dozens of operatic adaptations across centuries. Their mini-operas tell three parts of Ariosto’s tale, involving overlapping casts of knights and warriors, sorceresses and princesses…and a hippogriff. Based on Antonio Vivaldi’s 1714 version of his opera, Orlando Furioso, and with the brilliance and spectacle of natural horns and trumpets, their third and final mini-opera brings redemption and forgiveness to Alcina’s island. Poor Alcina is distraught over her defeat by the sorceress Melissa. Meanwhile, Orlando—otherwise known as Roland—is mad with jealousy over Angelica’s marriage to her lover Medoro. Only Astolfo can save the day, with a trip to the moon. But how did Astolfo get to the moon? You’ll have to come along and find out!