Composer

:

Carl Heinrich Graun

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1741

"Rodelinda, Regina Dei Langobardi" is an opera seria in three acts composed by Carl Heinrich Graun. The opera was first performed on November 13, 1725, at the Royal Opera House in Berlin, Germany. The libretto was written by Nicola Francesco Haym, based on the play "Pericle" by Pierre Corneille. The plot of the opera revolves around the queen of the Lombards, Rodelinda, who is mourning the supposed death of her husband, King Bertarido. However, Bertarido is actually alive and in hiding, and his brother, Grimoaldo, has taken the throne and is trying to force Rodelinda to marry him. Bertarido eventually reveals himself and, with the help of his loyal friend Unulfo, plots to regain his throne and reunite with his wife and son. The music of "Rodelinda" is characterized by its virtuosic arias, which showcase the vocal abilities of the singers. The opera also features a number of duets and ensembles, including a quartet in the final act. The orchestration is relatively simple, with a small ensemble of strings, oboes, and horns. The premiere of "Rodelinda" was a great success, and the opera went on to be performed throughout Europe. It was particularly popular in England, where it was performed in a revised version by Handel in 1728. The opera was also revived in the 20th century, with notable productions by the Glyndebourne Festival Opera and the Metropolitan Opera. Overall, "Rodelinda, Regina Dei Langobardi" is a classic example of the opera seria genre, with its focus on noble characters, virtuosic singing, and themes of love, loyalty, and political intrigue.

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