- George Frideric Handel. Opera in three acts. 1725.
- 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.
CHARACTERS
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| Rodelinda, Queen of the Lombards | soprano |
| Bertarido, her husband | male alto |
| Grimoaldo, Duke of Benevento, a usurper | tenor |
| Eduige, sister of Bertarido, betrothed to Grimoaldo | soprano |
| Unulfo, a nobleman | male alto |
| Garibaldo, Duke of Turin | bass |
| Flavio, son of Rodelinda and Bertarido | silent rôle |
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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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