Franz Joseph Haydn's Armida is a dramatic opera (dramma eroica) in three acts, seven scenes. Armida received numerous performances from 1784 to 1788 at the Esterháza Court Theatre. It was also performed in Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Turin, during Haydn's lifetime. For some years, Armida was not heard of from opera repertoires. It was revived in the 20th century's late 60s in a Cologne concert, and later, in a Bern stage production.
- Composer: Franz Joseph Haydn (March 31, 1732 - May 31, 1809)
- Libretto: Jacopo Durandi. Based on the epic poem 'Gerusalemme liberate' ('Jerusalem Delivered') by Torquato Tasso.
- Language: Italian.
- First Performance: Esterháza, Court Theatre, February 26, 1784
- Setting: Damascus during the crusades.
Joseph Haydn is primarily remembered as a composer of symphonies but in the 1770's and 1780's, he managed an opera group on behalf of his employer, Prince Nikolaus Esterházy, which performed many operas per year. Armida was the last opera Haydn composed and also regarded as his best.
The Main Characters in Armida
- Idreno, King of Damascus(baritone)
- Armida, Heathen sorceress (soprano)
- Rinaldo, Christian knight (tenor)
- Ubaldo, Christian soldier, friend of Rinaldo (tenor)
- Zelmira, Daughter of the Egyptian Sultan (soprano)
- Clotarco, Christian soldier (tenor)
Plot Summary (Synopsis) of Armida
Act 1
Scene 1: Council chamber in the royal palace of Damascus. Armida, the heathen sorceress seems to have triumphed over the Christians. At first, she is worried that her conquest was not complete without RInaldo's love, but now Rinaldo, the Christian knight, has fallen in love with her. Rinaldo, taken by the sorceress's magic, agrees to fight against his fellow Christians for her uncle, King Idreno.
Scene 2: A steep mountain on the peak but Armida's castle can be seen. Armida's magic does not stop the Christian soldiers from fighting. They are led by Ubaldo and Clotarco. Idreno, finds out about the fierce and determined Christian knights. He sends Zelmira, the daughter of the Egyptian sultan, to lead the Christians into a trap. Along the way, she falls in love with Clotarco.
Scene 3. Armida's apartment. Meanwhile, Ubaldo warns Rinaldo to beware of Armide's charms. He also reminds Rinaldo of his duty as a Christian, that helping Armida is a treachery. Rinaldo tries to be sensible, but he is unable to get off from Armida's enchantment.
Act 2
Scene 1. A garden in Armida's palace. Zelmira tries to dissuade King Idreno from planning to ambush the Christians, but fails. The king has a plan, to pretend to agree to Clotarco's demand that the Christian knights enchanted by Armida be released. Still reluctant, Rinaldo leaves with Ubaldo.
Scene 2. The Encampment. Armida asks for refuge in Ubaldo's camp but is refused. This time Rinaldo is not much of help to her.
Act 3
Scene 1: A dark, forbidding grove, in the middle is a thick myrtle tree. Prophecy says that only Rinaldo can overcome the enchanted woods. Rinaldo enters the wood with a purpose of cutting it down. Armida appears from the magic myrtle tree that Rinaldo has entered. A showdown occurs. Deep inside Armida still loves Rinaldo and cannot bring herself to kill him. Rinaldo defeats Armida's furies and cuts down the tree.
Scene 2. The encampment. Armida loves Rinaldo but still wants revenge. She sends an infernal chariot against Rinaldo. Rinaldo escapes.
Operas by Haydn
- La canterina (The Songstress)
- La speziale (The Apothecary)
- L'infedeltà delusa (Deceit Outwitted)
- L'incarta improvviso (The Unexpected Encounter)
- Il mondo della luna (The World on the Moon)
- La Vera Costanza (True Constancy)
- L'isola disabitata (The deserted island)
- La fedeltà premiata (Fidelty Rewarded)
- Orlando Paladino (Knight Roland)
- Armida
Recommended Recording
Haydn - Armida / Bartoli.Petibon.Prégardien.M. Schäfer.Wier.Harnoncourt
Sources:
The Da Capo Opera Manual by Nicholas Ivor Martin (1997)
The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 2nd Edition, edited by Stanley Sadie (2000)
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