Composer

:

George Frederick Handel

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1734

Average_duration

:

189:03

Movement_count

:

96

Movement ....

Ariodante is an opera seria in three acts composed by George Frederick Handel in 1734. The libretto was written by Antonio Salvi and is based on a story from Ludovico Ariosto's epic poem Orlando Furioso. The opera premiered at the Covent Garden Theatre in London on January 8, 1735. The plot of Ariodante revolves around the love story of the eponymous hero, Ariodante, and the princess Ginevra. The two are set to be married, but their happiness is threatened by the villainous Polinesso, who is in love with Ginevra and seeks to ruin her reputation. Polinesso tricks Ariodante into believing that Ginevra has been unfaithful, causing Ariodante to attempt suicide. However, Ginevra is eventually proven innocent, and she and Ariodante are reunited. The opera is notable for its use of the da capo aria form, which was popular in the Baroque era. Handel's music is characterized by its virtuosity and emotional depth, with arias ranging from joyful and celebratory to mournful and introspective. The opera also features several instrumental movements, including a sinfonia and a chaconne. Ariodante was well-received at its premiere and has since become one of Handel's most popular operas. It has been performed numerous times throughout the centuries, with notable productions including a 1979 staging by the English National Opera and a 2014 production by the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Overall, Ariodante is a masterful example of Handel's skill as a composer of opera seria. Its intricate plot, memorable characters, and beautiful music continue to captivate audiences to this day.

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