Composer

:

George Frederick Handel

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1721

Average_duration

:

133:01

Movement_count

:

83

Movement ....

"Floridante" is an opera seria in three acts composed by George Frederick Handel. The opera was first performed on December 9, 1721, at the King's Theatre in London. The libretto was written by Paolo Antonio Rolli, an Italian poet and librettist who collaborated with Handel on several other operas. The plot of "Floridante" revolves around the love triangle between the King of Sicily, Floridante, his wife Elmira, and the Persian princess Rossane. Floridante is captured by the Persian army and taken to their court, where he meets Rossane and falls in love with her. Meanwhile, Elmira, who believes Floridante to be dead, is courted by the Persian prince Oronte. When Floridante returns to Sicily, he discovers that Elmira has married Oronte, and he must fight for his rightful place as king and for the love of Rossane. The music of "Floridante" is characterized by Handel's signature style of virtuosic vocal writing and intricate instrumental accompaniment. The opera features several standout arias, including "Sì, tra i ceppi e le ritorte" and "Se non ti moro a lato." "Floridante" was well-received at its premiere and enjoyed a successful run of performances throughout the 1721-22 season. The opera was later revived in 1732 and 1737, but fell out of favor in the 19th century and was not performed again until the 20th century. Despite its relative obscurity, "Floridante" remains a notable work in Handel's oeuvre, showcasing his mastery of the opera seria genre and his ability to create complex characters and dramatic situations through music.

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