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George Frideric Handel

Rodelinda, regina de' Longobardi, HWV.19

Opera

HWV 19 Stage

Rodelinda, regina de' Longobardi (HWV 19) is an opera seria in three acts composed for the first Royal Academy of Music by George Frideric Handel. The libretto is by Nicola Francesco Haym, based on an earlier libretto by Antonio Salvi. Rodelinda has long been regarded as one of Handel's greatest works.

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Synopsis

Prior to the opening of the opera, Grimoaldo has defeated Bertarido, King of Lombardy, in battle and has usurped the throne of Milan. Bertarido has fled, leaving his wife Rodelinda and his son Flavio prisoners of the usurper. Failing to secure support to recover his crown, Bertarido has caused it to be reported that he has died in exile, a ruse to be used in an attempt to rescue his wife and son.

  1. Overture

Atto I

Rodelinda's apartments
Alone in the palace, Rodelinda mourns the loss of her husband Bertarido. The usurper Grimoaldo enters, declaring a long-hidden passion for her. He proposes marriage and offers her back the throne that is rightfully hers. She angrily rejects him (Aria: "L'empio rigor del fato"). Eduige arrives looking for Grimoaldo. Grimoaldo, having previously been betrothed to Bertarido's sister Eduige, now spurns her. After Grimoaldo leaves, the scheming Garibaldo, his counsellor, professes love for Eduige. She promises to return his love once she has had revenge on Grimoaldo (Aria: "Lo farò, diro: spietato"). Alone, Garibaldo reveals that his love for Eduige is feigned, and is part of a plan to gain the throne for himself (Aria: "Di cupido impiego i vanni").
A cypress-grove
Bertarido, in hiding nearby, reads the inscription on his own memorial and longs for his beloved wife Rodelinda (Aria: "Dove sei, amato bene?"). Along with his friend and counsellor Unulfo, he secretly watches as a weeping Rodelinda and Flavio, her son, lay flowers at his memorial. Garibaldo enters with an ultimatum for Rodelinda: either she agrees to marry Grimoaldo, or her son will be put to death. Rodelinda consents but also vows to demand Garibaldo's death when she returns to the throne. Bertarido, still watching, is aghast and takes Rodelinda's decision as an act of betrayal.

  1. no. 1. Menuet
  2. no. 2. Aria: "Ho Perduto Il Caro Sposo"
  3. no. 3. "Regina?/Grimoaldo, Nel Mio Presente Stato"
  4. no. 4. Aria: "L'Empio Rigor Del Fato"
  5. no. 5. Recitativo: "E Tanto, da Che Sei Re"
  6. no. 6. Aria: "Io Già T'Amai"
  7. no. 7. Recitativo: "E Tu Dici D'Amarmi?"
  8. no. 8. Aria: "Lo Farò, Dirò: Spietato"
  9. no. 9. Recitativo: "Eduige, T'Inganni"
  10. no. 10. Aria: "Di Cupido Impiego I Vanni"
  11. Rodelinda, regina de’ Longobardi, HWV 19: Atto I, no. 11. “Pompe vane di morte!” / “Dove sei?”
  12. no. 12. "Dove sei, amato bene?" (Bertarido)
  13. no. 13. Recitativo: "Ma Giunge Unulfo, Oh Dio!"
  14. no. 14. "Ombre, piante, urne funeste" (Rodelinda)
  15. no. 15. Recitativo: "Baci Inutili E Vani"
  16. no. 16. Accompagnato E Recitativo: "Ombra Del Mio Bel Sol - Deh, Lascia!/ No, Signor"
  17. no. 17. Recitativo: E Ben, Duca, Poss'Io All'Ardor"
  18. no. 18. Aria: "Morrai, Sì; L'Empia Tua Testa"
  19. no. 19. Aria: "Se Per Te Giungo a Godere"
  20. no. 20. Accompagnato: "Sì, L'Infida Consorte"
  21. no. 21. Aria: "Confusa Si Miri"

Atto II

A great hall
Garibaldo taunts Eduige, telling her that she has missed her chance to become queen. Eduige satirically congratulates Rodelinda, noting her sudden decision to betray her husband's memory and marry his usurper. Eduige vows vengeance on Grimoaldo. Eduige departs and Grimoaldo enters. Rodelinda sets out her terms for marrying Grimoaldo: he must in her sight kill Flavio with his own hands. Grimoaldo, horrified, refuses. After Rodelinda leaves, Garibaldo encourages Grimoaldo to carry out the murder, but he again refuses. He says that Rodelinda's act of courage and determination has made him love her all the more, though he has now lost hope of winning her. When the two advisors are alone, Unulfo asks Garibaldo how he could give a king such advice, and Garibaldo expounds his tyrannical perspective on the use of power (Aria: "Tirannia gliel diede il regno").
A delightful prospect
Bertarido approaches the palace grounds in disguise; his sister Eduige recognizes his voice. Unulfo brings word of Rodelinda's fidelity, and Eduige agrees to help Bertarido rescue his wife and son. Unulfo promises to pass a message to Rodelinda that her husband is still alive. Bertarido rejoices.
A gallery in Rodelinda's apartment
Rodelinda and Bertarido meet in secret, and are discovered in an embrace by Grimoaldo who fails to recognise her husband. Grimoaldo is outraged, believing that Rodelinda has taken a lover. To save her honour, Bertarido reveals his identity but Grimoaldo vows to kill him anyway, whoever he may be. The spouses bid each other a last farewell (Duet: "Io t'abbraccio").

  1. Recitativo: "Già Perdesti... Rodelinda, Sì Mesta Ritorni"
  2. Aria: "de' Miei Scherni Per Far Le Vendette"
  3. Recitativo: Rodelinda, È Pur Ver?"
  4. Rodelinda, regina de’ Longobardi, HWV 19: Atto II. Aria “Spietati, io vi giurai” (Rodelinda)
  5. Recitativo: "Unulfo, Garibaldo, in Questo Seno"
  6. Aria: "Prigioniera Ho L'Alma in Pena"
  7. Recitativo: "Massime Così Indegne"
  8. Aria: "Tirannia Gli Diede Il Regno"
  9. Recitativo: "Perché Con Soli Intanto L'Afflitto"
  10. Aria: "Fra Tempeste Funeste"
  11. no. 37. "Con rauco mormorio" (Bertarido)
  12. Recitativo: "Ah No, Che Non M'Inganna"
  13. Aria: "Scacciata Dal Suo Nido"
  14. Recitativo: "Vive Il Mio Sposo?"
  15. Rodelinda, regina de’ Longobardi, HWV 19: Atto II, Aria: “Ritorna, o caro e dolce mio tesoro”
  16. Recitativo: "Ah Sì! Ecco Lo Sposo!"
  17. Aria: "Tuo Drudo È Mio Rivale"
  18. Recitativo: "Non Ti Bastò, Consorte"
  19. no. 46. Duetto "Io t'abbraccio, e piu che morte aspro e forte" (Rodelinda, Bertarido)

Atto III

A gallery
Unulfo and Eduige plan to release Bertarido from prison: they will smuggle to him a sword and the key to a secret passage. Garibaldo advises Grimoaldo to put the unknown man – whether Bertarido or not – to death. Grimoaldo is racked by jealousy, passion and fear.
A very dark prison
Languishing in prison, Bertarido receives the sword, the key, and a written note. When Unulfo comes to release him, Bertarido mistakes the visitor in the darkness for the executioner and wounds him with the sword. Unulfo shrugs the injury off, and the two leave. Eduige guides Rodelinda into the cell. Finding it empty, and seeing blood on the floor, they fear that Bertarido is dead.
A royal garden
Grimoaldo is tormented by remorse and flees to the palace garden, hoping to find a peaceful spot where he can seek solace in sleep (Aria: "Pastorello d'un povero armento"). Garibaldo, finding him unprotected, decides to kill him. Bertarido appears and kills the intended assassin, though sparing Grimoaldo (Aria: "Vivi, tiranno!"). Grimoaldo renounces his claim to the throne of Milan, and pledges himself once again to Eduige. He offers the throne back to Bertarido who accepts it once he is assured that his wife and son will be returned to him. There is general rejoicing.

  1. Recitativo: "Del German Nel Periglio"
  2. Aria: "Un Zeffiro Spirò"
  3. Recitativo: "Con Opra Giusta Io Cancellar Disegno"
  4. Aria: "Quanto Più Fiera Tempesta Freme"
  5. Recitativo: "O Falso È Bertarido o Fu Mendace"
  6. Aria: "Tra Sospetti, Affetti E Timori"
  7. Arioso: "Chi di Voi Fu Più Infedele"
  8. Accompagnato E Recitativo: "Ma Non So Che Dal Remoto Balcon... Non Temere. Signore? Germano?"
  9. Aria: "Se 'l Mio Duol Non È Si Forte"
  10. Recitativo: "Amico, Ah! Che a Me Duole"
  11. Aria: "Se Fiera Belva Ha Cinto"
  12. no. 61. Accompagnato "Fatto inferno"
  13. no. 62. Aria "Pastorello d'un povero armento"
  14. Recitativo: "Che Miro? Amica Sorte... Ecco Ti Innanzi Il Reo"
  15. Aria: "Mio Caro Bene"
  16. Recitativo: "Sposa, Figlio, Sorella, Amici"
  17. no. 66. "Vivi, tiranno!" (Bertarido)

Synopsis from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Elsewhere

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