Orlando
T0
Written in 1732, the hero
Orlando is torn between his desire to do noble deeds and his pursuit of love. Although rebuked by the sorcerer Zoroastro for giving in to his romantic urges,
Orlando nonetheless decides that love can bring its own glory, and to that end he pursues Angelica. But she has fallen for Medoro and he with her - which is not good news for Angelica's rival, the shepherdess Dorinda. The untangling of these conflicting passions through threats, magic, deceit, revelations and no little heart-searching inspired Handel to some of his most original operatic work, and
Orlando's psychological focus fused with fantasy lends a particular contemporary appeal.
Archive :: opera or operetta:S45496309, venue:V842266537
