Composer

:

George Frederick Handel

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1732

Average_duration

:

161:53

Movement_count

:

77

Movement ....

'Orlando' is an opera seria in three acts composed by George Frederick Handel in 1733. The libretto was written by Carlo Sigismondo Capece, based on Ludovico Ariosto's epic poem 'Orlando Furioso'. The opera premiered on January 27, 1733, at the King's Theatre in London. The plot of 'Orlando' revolves around the knight Orlando, who is in love with the princess Angelica. However, Angelica is in love with another knight, Medoro. Orlando becomes mad with jealousy and goes on a rampage, causing chaos and destruction. Eventually, he is cured of his madness by the magician Zoroastro and reconciles with Angelica. The opera is characterized by Handel's masterful use of vocal and instrumental music to convey the emotions and drama of the story. The arias are particularly notable for their virtuosic vocal lines and expressive melodies. The orchestration is also rich and varied, with Handel using a wide range of instruments to create different moods and textures. The first movement of the opera is dominated by Orlando's jealousy and madness, with the music reflecting his turbulent emotions. The second movement is more introspective, as Orlando reflects on his actions and seeks redemption. The final movement is characterized by reconciliation and forgiveness, with the music becoming more serene and peaceful. Overall, 'Orlando' is a masterpiece of Baroque opera, showcasing Handel's skill as a composer and his ability to create powerful and emotionally resonant music. Its premiere was a great success, and it has remained a popular work in the operatic repertoire to this day.

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