Vocalist.org archive


From:  Dean FH Macy <deanmacy@m...>
Dean FH Macy <deanmacy@m...>
Date:  Sun Jan 28, 2001  2:03 pm
Subject:  Re: [vocalist] Help with an opera


gwyee@r... wrote:
gwyee@r... wrote:

> Dear list,
>
> I need some help with an opera, please. My teacher gave me the arias for
> the role of Grimwald in Handel's "Rodelinda" to look at. Can someone
> please tell me a little about this opera and the role, or where I can look
> it up?

Rodelinda

George Frideric Handel. Opera in three acts. 1725.
Rodelinda is a story of ruthless treachery, lust, cruelty, passion and the
healing influence of married love. Rodelinda herself is a heroine whose
fidelity to her husband and love for her child is a steady flame which resists
all attempts to extinguish it - despite the machinations of her husband's
family, his supposed death and all manner of trap-setting and deception at
court.

Libretto by Nicola Francesco Haym, after Antonio Salvi's Rodelinda, regina
de'Longobardi (Rodelinda, Queen of the Lombards) and the play by Pierre
Corneille Pertharite, roi des Lombards (Pertharite, King of the Lombards).
First performance at the King's Theatre, London, on 13th February 1725.

The usurper Grimoaldo has forced Bertarido to make his escape from
Milan, leaving behind his wife and son. Grimoaldo resolves to break faith with
Eduige and marry Rodelinda, while Bertarido returns to Milan in disguise,
assisted there by his supporter Unulfo. He is captured by his enemy and
matters are further complicated by the machinations of Garibaldo, who seeks
the love of Eduige and the throne for himself. Eventually Bertarido escapes
from his prison, with the help of Unulfo, kills Garibaldo and pardons
Grimoaldo, who is now united with Eduige once more, to rule in his own
dukedom, while Bertarido is restored to the throne.

In the first production of Rodelinda Francesca Cuzzoni sang the title-rôle,
with the castrato Senesino as Bertarido. His first aria Dove sei? (Where are
you?), as he seeks his Rodelinda, is among the most famous, while Rodelinda is
allowed the moving Ombre, piante (Shades, trees) as she mourns the supposed
death of her husband.


emusic.com