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.
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