CAEN, France (AFP) — A stage lit by candlelight, men singing both the female and male roles, and historic costumes and acting: a troupe this week is re-enacting in the original baroque style a 17th century Roman opera -- "Il Sant'Alessio" by Stefano Landi.
The original production was staged in Rome in 1632 at the palace of the powerful Barberini family, one of whom had become Pope Urbain VIII nine years earlier.
It was based on a libretto by Giulio Rospigliosi, the future Pope Clement IX and used spectacular sets and stage machinery, including flames to envelope the devil.
