The Long LineThe Long Line

George Frideric Handel

Faramondo, HWV.39

Opera

HWV 39 Stage

Faramondo, HWV 39, is an opera in three acts by George Frideric Handel to an Italian libretto adapted from Apostolo Zeno's Faramondo. The story is loosely based upon the legend of Pharamond, a mythological King of the Franks, circa 420 AD, and the early history of France. The opera had its first performance at the King's Theatre, London, on 3 January 1738.

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Synopsis

Act I

A cyprus grove with an altar
Gustavo (King of the Cimbrians) solemnly swears vengeance upon Faramondo (King of the Franks), by whose hands Gustavo's son Sveno was slain. The man who brings King Gustavo Faramondo's head will be rewarded with Gustavo's daughter Rosimonda's hand in marriage and his throne. Into this tense situation comes the captured Princess Clotilde (sister to Faramondo), whom Prince Adolfo, Gustavo's surviving son, loves – and it is only by his pleading for her that Clotilde is not slain. Once the two young lovers are left alone, Clotilde extracts a promise from Adolfo to change his allegiance to her brother Faramondo, for love of her.
A room in the palace
Immediately after, Gustavo's daughter Rosimonda finds her quarters invaded by Frankish soldiers, including Faramondo. Faramondo is instantly struck with love for his fair captive. Even while she rails at him for killing her brother Sveno in battle, and for making an alliance with the Swabian king (Gernando) who is at enmity with the Cimbrians, Rosimonda too finds her heart captured by her erstwhile enemy, Faramondo.
But their sudden love is hindered; King Gernando has plans to keep Rosimonda for himself, and he suspects that Faramondo is not immune to the princess. His plot to kill Faramondo and win Rosimonda is foiled, but Faramondo spares his life.
The Cimbrian camp
King Gustavo is not idle in the meantime, for he has arranged his men to capture Faramondo when he learns that his enemy is actually in his very palace. Clotilde of course wants Adolfo to prevent this, and when Adolfo acts on her behalf to save her brother, it is scarcely surprising that a truly dreadful confrontation between Adolfo and his father ensues, which ends with Adolfo being imprisoned for treason. Faramondo's attempt to appease Gustavo and ask for Rosimonda's hand in marriage meets with the lack of success one could have anticipated, for Gustavo desires nothing but his enemy's death.

  1. Scene I. Recitativo "Popolo, figlio, in basse note e meste" (Gustavo, Adolfo)
  2. Scene I, no. 1. Recitativo accompagnato "Ascolta dagli Elisi, ombra di Sveno" (Gustavo)
  3. Scene I, no. 2. Choir "Pera, pera! l'alma fiera"
  4. Scene II. Recitativo "Mio Re, pronta qui vedo l'orrida pompa" (Teobaldo, Gustavo, Adolfo, Clotilde)
  5. Scene II, no. 3. Aria "Viva, si, che nel mio seno venir meno" (Gustavo)
  6. Scene III. Recitativo "Siam pur fiori, o mia cara" (Adolfo, Clotilde)
  7. Scene III, no. 4. Aria "Conoscero, se brami ch'io t'ami" (Clotilde)
  8. Scene IV. Recitativo "Perdoni all'amor mio" (Adolfo)
  9. Scene IV, no. 5. Aria "Chi ben ama, og'n altro affetto" (Adolfo)
  10. Scene V. Recitativo "Finche avro spirto, e vita, del mio sen faro scudo" (Childerico, Rosimonda, Faramondo)
  11. Scene V, no. 6. Aria "Vanne, che piu ti miro, piu cresce il mio dolor" (Rosimonda)
  12. Scene VI. Recitativo "Faramondo infelice!" (Faramondo, Gernando)
  13. Scene VI, no. 7. Aria "Rival ti sono ma son fedel" (Faramondo)
  14. Scene VII. Recitativo "Va pur; preveniro gli empii di segni" (Gernando)
  15. Scene VII, no. 8. Aria "Voglio che mora, si" (Gernando)
  16. Scene VIII. Recitativo "S'e giusto l'idio mio" (Rosimonda)
  17. Scene IX. Recitativo "Principessa, in vedermi" (Gernando, Rosimonda)
  18. Scene X. Recitativo "Sino ad ora, Gernando" (Faramondo, Rosimonda, Gernando)
  19. Scene XI. Recitativo "Rosimonda, tu sei libera" (Faramondo, Rosimonda)
  20. Scene XI, no. 9. Arietta "Si, tornero a morir, non a placarti" (Faramondo)
  21. Scene XII. Recitativo "Qual nemico m'h'andato" (Rosimonda)
  22. Scene XII, no. 10. Aria "Sento, che un giusto sdegno mi sprona a vendicarmi" (Rosimonda)
  23. Scene XIII. Recitativo "Si, Clotilde; il mio seno" (Gustavo, Clotilde)
  24. Scene XIV. Recitativo "Faramondo, Signor, solo ed in erme" (Teobaldo, Gustavo)
  25. Scene XIV, no. 11. Aria "Vado a recar la morte all'empio traditor" (Teobaldo)
  26. Scene XV. Recitativo "Dalla citade, e solo" (Clotilde, Adolfo)
  27. Scene XV, no. 12. Aria "Mi parto lieta sulla tua fede" (Clotilde)
  28. Scene XVI. Recitativo "Fra quest'ombre selvagge" (Faramondo, Gustavo, Adolfo)
  29. Scene XVII. Recitativo "Vuo stancare il destin" (Faramondo)
  30. Scene XVII, no. 13. Aria "Se ben mi lusinga l'infida speranza" (Faramondo)

Act II

A surprising meeting occurs – for Gernando, once the relentless enemy of the Cimbrians, suggests an alliance to King Gustavo, based on a mutual desire to bring down Faramondo. Gernando secures Gustavo's agreement that if he can bring Gustavo the head of Faramondo, Gustavo will give him his daughter Rosimonda in marriage.
Rosimonda, though still in love with Faramondo, hides her feelings and tries to make Faramondo leave without her, and this so depresses Faramondo that he does not even bother to resist when Gustavo's soldiers take him. Rosimonda's intervention prevents his death, but sees him imprisoned; at least Adolfo is freed upon Rosimonda's and Clotilde's repeated pleading.
Rosimonda is now so beset with worry for Faramondo's safety that she can no longer hide her love, and plans to free Faramondo herself and flee with him.

  1. no. 14. Sinfonia
  2. Scene I. Recitativo "Gia udisti i sensi miei" (Gustavo, Rosimonda, Childerico, Gernando)
  3. Scene II. Recitativo "Principessa, a tuoi lumi tu devi" (Gernando, Rosimonda)
  4. Scene II, no. 15. Aria "Si l'intendesti, si, e questa la merce" (Rosimonda)
  5. Scene III. Recitativo "Si, sdegna Rosimonda" "(Gernando)
  6. Scene III, no. 16. Aria "Non ingannarmi, no, conforto del mio sen" (Gernando)
  7. Scene IV. Recitativo "Faramondo, e pur salvo" (Clotilde, Faramondo)
  8. Scene V. Recitativo "Benche di Faramondo tu sii germana" (Rosimonda, Clotilde)
  9. Scene VI. Recitativo "E mora! Misero, e qual tuo fato" (Faramondo, Rosimonda)
  10. Scene VII. Recitativo "E dal mio brando questa morte avrai" (Teobaldo, Rosimonda, Clotilde, Childerico)
  11. Scene VII, no. 17. Aria "Poi che pria di morire" (Faramondo)
  12. Scene VIII. Recitativo "Rosimonda, il suo duolo non basta" (Clotilde, Rosimonda)
  13. Scene VIII, no. 18. Aria "Combattuta da due venti" (Clotilde)
  14. Scene IX. Recitativo "Faramondo e in catene, e morir deve" (Gustavo, Adolfo)
  15. Scene IX, no. 19. Aria "Se a' piedi tuoi morro, la destra baciero" (Adolfo)
  16. Scene X. Recitativo "Signor, umil ti chiedo" (Clotilde, Gustavo)
  17. Scene X, no. 20. Aria "Sol la brama di vendetta puo dar pace a questo cor" (Gustavo)
  18. Scene XI, a. Recitativo "Quanto di Faramondo" (Childerico, Teobaldo)
  19. Scene XI, b. Recitativo "Tentai d'aver l'ingresso" (Gernando)
  20. Scene XII. Recitativo "Aprimi quelle porte" (Gernando, Childerico)
  21. Scene XII, no. 21. Aria "Nella terra, in ciel, nell'onda" (Gernando)
  22. Scene XIII. Recitativo "Childerico? I tuoi cenni" (Rosimonda, Childerico)
  23. Scene XIV. Recitativo "Tu non sei, Faramondo, prigionier" (Rosimonda, Faramondo)
  24. Scene XIV, no. 22. Duetto "Vado e vivo con la speranza" (Faramondo, Rosimonda)

Act III

Gustavo finds himself betrayed on all sides – Rosimonda has released Faramondo, and his son Adolfo is still stubbornly in love with Faramondo's sister. But Rosimonda is not out of danger, for she is still the love-object of Gernando. Gernando has actually joined forces with a lieutenant of King Gustavo (by name, Teobaldo), persuading Teobaldo to abduct Rosimonda for him. Teobaldo's plans do not stop at this, but he and his men attempt a coup to take Gustavo himself hostage. This sudden turn of events is stopped by Faramondo (who had overheard the entire plot, sent his men to rescue his beloved Rosimonda, and personally stopped the coup attempt). Gustavo embraces his unknown rescuer (whose armour hides his face), and when he realises who had saved him and his daughter, bitterly regrets that his oath MUST be carried out... He must still sacrifice Faramondo in blood-vengeance because of Faramondo's slaying of his son Sveno.
Teobaldo, forgiven by Gustavo, is sent off to fight for the king in Sarmazia.
Rosimonda, whose fate might have been dire but for her successful rescue by Faramondo's men, returns to her father's court, with news that the treacherous Gernando has been captured. But she is in time only to see her father lead Faramondo to the altar in preparation for the blood-oath sacrifice. Disaster lies upon Faramondo – one stroke of the weapon, and he will lie dead... but for the sudden news brought by a messenger direct from Teobaldo. In the letter, Teobaldo (who lies dying of many wounds incurred in Sarmazia) admits that he had not turned suddenly against Gustavo, but rather that his desire to oust Gustavo of his position had been long in the planning. He had in fact switched infants when the king's son was born; in other words, Sveno was NOT the king's son... but Teobaldo's. It slowly sinks in to all present that, since Sveno was not Gustavo's son, Gustavo does not need to kill Faramondo. All ends happily with general rejoicing; Gustavo and Faramondo cry friends, Gernando is released and realises only too late what an ally he had lost in the noble Faramondo, Clotilde and Adolfo are united, and so too are Rosimonda and Faramondo.

  1. no. 23. Sinfonia
  2. Scene I. Recitativo "Mi tradiscono i figli, il nemico mi fugge!" (Gustavo, Clotilde, Adolfo)
  3. Scene II, a. Recitativo "Quai mi straziano l'alma dubbii pensieri" (Childerico, Clotilde, Adolfo)
  4. Scene II, b. Recitativo "Del destin non mi lagno" (Clotilde, Adolfo)
  5. Scene II, no. 24. Duetto "Caro! / Cara! tu mi accendi nel mio core" (Clotilde, Adolfo)
  6. Scene III. Recitativo "Signor, non t'inoltrar" (Teobaldo, Gernando, Faramondo)
  7. Scene III, no. 25. Aria "Cosi suole a rio vicina umil pianta alzare i rami" (Gernando)
  8. Scene IV, a. Recitativo "A me viene Teobaldo?" (Faramondo, Teobaldo)
  9. Scene IV, b. Recitativo "Ritorna pur, ritorna al tuo Signor crudel mostro, non padre" (Faramondo)
  10. Scene V. Recitativo "Andiam, fidi guerrieri" (Faramondo)
  11. Scene V, no. 26. Aria "Voglio che sia l'indegno" (Faramondo)
  12. Scene VI. Recitativo "D'un oltraggiato Re" (Gustavo, Teobaldo)
  13. Scene VII. Recitativo "Padre... Tu Adolfo in liberta?" (Adolfo, Gustavo, Teobaldo)
  14. Scene VIII. Recitativo "Disarmato e gia il Re" (Teobaldo, Gustavo)
  15. Scene IX. Recitativo "Ecco gl'iniqui. Su, ferite gli empii" (Adolfo, Faramondo, Teobaldo, Gustavo)
  16. Scene IX, no. 27. Aria "Se ria procella sorge nell'onde" (Adolfo)
  17. Scene X. Recitativo "Non isdegnar, Gustavo" (Faramondo, Gustavo, Rosimonda, Clotilde)
  18. Scene X, no. 28. Aria "Sappi, crudel, io t'amo, e per tua pena ancor!" (Rosimonda)
  19. Scene XI. Recitativo "Or vo'lieto alla morte!" (Faramondo, Clotilde, Gustavo, Gernando, Adolfo)
  20. Scene XII. Recitativo "Misera! ei corre a morte, ed io resto a goder?" (Clotilde, Adolfo)
  21. Scene XII, no. 29. Aria "Un'aura placida e lusinghiera" (Clotilde)
  22. Scene XIII, a. Recitativo "Reggi il mio braccio gia impotente" (Gustavo, Childerico)
  23. Scene XIII, b. Recitativo "Reggi il mio braccio gia impotente" (Gustavo, Faramondo)
  24. Scene XIV. Recitativo "Ohime! trradito io sono!" (Teobaldo, Gustavo, Adolfo, Childerico, Clotilde, Gernando, Faramondo)
  25. Scene XV. Recitativo "Figlia, di Faramondo... Io so la sorte; per cio voglio morir" (Gustavo, Rosimonda, Faramondo, Childerico)
  26. Scene XV, no. 30. Aria "Virtu che rende si forte un core" (Faramondo)
  27. Scene XV, no. 31. Choir "Virtu che rende si forte un core" (Faramondo/Clotilde/Rosimonda/Adolfo, Gernando, Childerico, Gustavo/Teobaldo)

Synopsis from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Elsewhere

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