The Dallas Opera - Rodelinda

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Rodelinda

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Synopsis Cast Bios Composer Behind the Scenes Production part of Masters Trio. See three productions and save!	Behind The Scenes
	Rodelinda: Long considered one of George Frideric Handel's greatest works, Rodelinda is an ancient story of courtly intrigue and devotion first detailed in Paul the Deacon's Gesta Langobardorum. The story appeared in a much more polished form in Corneille's drama, Pertharite, Roi des Lombards (Pertharite, King of the Lombards) in 1652. There were several 18th century operas based on this tale, including Rodelinda, Queen of the Lombards by Antonio Salvi (1710) which served as Handel's principal roadmap. Salvi translated portions of Corneille's dialogue word-for-word, but re-arranged the order of scenes and altered the action as necessary to heighten the onstage drama. Handel's 1725 version was designed to showcase two of the great singing stars of his day, the famed castrato Senesino and soprano Francesca Cuzzoni. Cuzzoni's brown silk gown, worn at the King's Theatre premiere, revealed so much of her additional "talent" that it created a scandalous sensation and is credited with altering London fashion. Wrote Horace Walpole, "�it seemed a national uniform for youth and beauty." The composer made every effort to condense and improve an already impressive original libretto. Handel's literary partner on the project, Nicola Francesco Haym, deleted over half a dozen scenes, shortened others, and added just one. Thirty-four arias were reduced to 28 (nearly all of them internal monologues allowing the characters to examine their own pain or purpose) and more of the music was given to the hero and heroine of the piece, placing the opera's focus on the dynamic triangle of Rodelinda, Bertarido, and the villain Grimoaldo in order to chart the journey from passion to reason that was the heart and soul of the Age of Enlightenment.

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Hover over a date in the calendar above to see the days event(s) listed here.

Saturday 09/11/10

12:00PM - 12:30PM
Inside The Dallas Opera on WRR 101.1 FM
Listen to WRR 101.1 FM

Tuesday 09/14/10

8:00PM - 11:00PM
TDO Encore Performance - CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA/PAGLIACCI on WRR 101.1 FM
Listen to WRR 101.1 FM

Tuesday 09/21/10

8:00PM - 11:00PM
TDO Encore Performance - COSI FAN TUTTE on WRR 101.1 FM
Listen to WRR 101.1 FM

Tuesday 09/28/10

8:00PM - 11:00PM
TDO Encore Performance - DON PASQUALE on WRR 101.1 FM
Listen to WRR 101.1 FM