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Rodelinda, an Italian opera by George Frederic Handel: opera plot synopsis, character description, and other Handel opera information.
George F. Handel (February 23, 1685 – April 14, 1759) composed Rodelinda, a three-act Italian opera, a medieval drama. The libretto was an adaptation by Nicola Haym after a work based on a 1652 play Pertharite, roi des Lombards by Pierre Corneille. Rodelinda was premiered in London, King's Theatre, Haymarket, Royal Academy of Music, February 13, 1725. The setting is in the Royal Palace in Milan, Italy. Notable arias: "Dove sei" (Bertarido), "Io t'abbraccio" (Rodelinda and Bertarido). Rodelinda is one of the great operas that George F. Handel composed in the early 1720s, considered another masterpiece for the Royal Academy of Music. Two other operas are Giulio Cesare and Tamerlano. This opera, depicting Handel's glorified marriage, is dominated by numerous arias, two duets and one ensemble number. Handel exhibits his artistry through contrasting tempos, keys and orchestration in building dramatic tension. The first complete recording of Handel's Rodelinda is by Deutsche Grammophon in 3 CDs, conducted by Alan Curtis. Rodelinda remains one of the top most performed operas of Handel. Character Roles of Rodelinda
Plot Summary / Synopsis of RodelindaPrologue:In a battle, Grimoaldo has usurped Bertarido, but he has fled. He is believed to be dead but sends word Unulfo that he is hiding hear the palace. Rodelinda and her son, Flavio, are kept by Grimoaldo in the palace. He has fallen in love with Rodelinda, although he is engaged to Eduige, Bertarido's sister. Act 1.Rodelinda grieves thinking that her husband, Bertarido, is dead. Grimoaldo, usurper to Bertarido's throne offers her marriage, but Rodelinda declines. Garibaldo offers him help but secretly intends to occupy the throne himself. Bertarido misses his wife but Unulfo advises him to be patience. Rodelinda agrees to marry Grimoaldo after Garibaldo threatens to kill her son. Act 2.Rodelinda finds a last resort to thwart marriage to Grimoaldo by working on his conscience. Plotting to expose Grimoaldo's villainy, she ultimately agrees to marriage only if he kills her son before her eyes. Grimoaldo is horrified and starts feeling guilty. He knows he will never possess Rodelinda's love, and admires her for her strength and love for her husband. Bertarido, meanwhile, has approached the palace grounds in disguise, where Eduige recognizes him and pledges her support. She agrees to tell Rodelinda that her husband is alive. Rodelinda and Bertarido meet in secret, but are discovered by an outraged Grimoaldo, although he doesn't recognize Bertarido, but vows to kill him anyway, whether he is Bertarido or Rodelinda's lover. The spouses, before being separated again, and resigned to their fate, bid each other a tearful farewell. Act 3.Unulfo and Eduige plan to smuggle Bertarido from prison, provide him a weapon and the key to the secret passage that runs under the palace. Meanwhile, Grimoaldo is having a crisis of conscience over Bertarido's impending execution. Bertarido, in his cell, receives his package prepared by Unulfo and Eduige. Unulfo, allowed access to the prison in an official capacity, comes to release Bertarido. However, in darkness, Bertarido can't recognize Unulfo and mistakenly wounds him with the sword. Unulfo ignores his injury off, and the two leave. Eduige and Rodelinda, have come to visit Bertarido. Finding the cell empty and blood on the floor, despair for his life. Grimoaldo is still struggling with conscience and flees to the palace garden, hoping to find a peaceful spot where he can sleep. He finally falls asleep, but Garibaldo finds him and decides to take advantage of the situation. He is about to kill Grimoaldo with his own sword when Bertarido enters and kills Garibaldo, but he spares Grimaoldo. Grimoaldo gratefully gives up all his claim to Bertarido's throne and tells Eduige that they shall wed and rule together in his own duchy at Benevento. A happy family ending, with reunited Rodelinda and Bertarido. Source:Concise Guide to Opera, Penguin, London, 2005 Opera by Alan Riding and L.D. Downer, Dorling Kindersley, 2006 Opera, András Batta, Editor-in-Chief. Cologne: Könemann, 1999
The copyright of the article George F. Handel's Opera Rodelinda in Italian Opera is owned by Tel Asiado. Permission to republish George F. Handel's Opera Rodelinda in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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