The Dallas Opera - Rodelinda

July 2008

S

M

T

W

T

F

S

29

30

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

1

2

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

Saturday 07/12/08

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

Sunday 07/13/08

2:00PM - 3:30PM
Milestone Culinary Arts Cooking Class - Austrian Cuisine
Milestone Culinary Arts Center - 4531 McKinney Avenue, Dallas 75205

Sunday 07/13/08

3:45PM - 5:00PM
Milestone Culinary Arts Tasting - Austrian Cuisine
Milestone Culinary Arts Center - 4531 McKinney Avenue, Dallas 75205

Monday 07/14/08

1:00PM - 2:00PM
Suzanne's Book Club - DIE FLEDERMAUS
Barnes and Noble Prestonwood Center - 5301 Beltline Road, Dallas, TX 75254

Monday 07/14/08

7:30PM - 9:30PM
SOLD OUT - Movie Screening: Dracula at the Inwood Living Room (TM)
Inwood Theatre, 5458 West Lovers Lane at Inwood, Dallas, TX 75209

Tuesday 07/15/08

7:00PM - 8:30PM
--SOLD OUT--Lecture and a Schnitzel!- DIE FLEDERMAUS
Jorg’s Café Vienna - 1037 E. 15th Street, Plano, TX 75074

Wednesday 07/16/08

7:30PM - 9:30PM
Movie Screening: Carmen: A Hip Hopera at AT&T Plaza in Victory Park
AT&T Plaza in Victory Park

Thursday 07/17/08

7:00PM - 9:00PM
Ballroom Dancing Lesson at the Sammons Center
Sammons Center - 3630 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75219

Sunday 07/20/08

4:30PM - 6:30PM
AMICI - Champagne Tasting at Dali in One Arts Plaza
Dali Wine Bar & Cellar - One Arts Plaza, 1722 Routh St. #102, Dallas, TX 75201

Rodelinda

Home > The Season > Rodelinda


Synopsis Cast Bios Composer Behind the Scenes Production part of Masters Trio. See three productions and save!	Synopsis by Act
	(Ariberto, King of Lombardy, upon his death in 681 divided his realm between his sons, Bertarido and Gundeberto. The pair went to war over their inheritance, with Gundeberto enlisting the aid of Grimoaldo, Duke of Benevento, in return for the promise of his sister’s hand in marriage once Bertarido was defeated. But Gundeberto was killed, through Grimoaldo’s treachery. Finding himself powerfully attracted to Bertarido’s wife, Queen Rodelinda, Grimoaldo rejected the arranged marriage with Eduige, the heirs’ sister, and seized the throne of Milan. Bertarido, meanwhile, flees to Hungary, leaving Rodelinda and his young son Flavio in the hands of his enemy. He then put out a false report of his own death before returning to Milan, secretly and in disguise. This is the state of affairs as the action of the opera begins.) ACT ONE Rodelinda is in her private apartments, weeping over the loss of her husband. Grimoaldo offers to restore her to the throne if she will accept his hand in marriage. Although she is resolved to save her son, she adamantly refuses this offer. The usurper tells his confederate, Garibaldo, Duke of Turin, that he loves Rodelinda and can’t abide Eduige, his promised prize. Eduige confronts Grimoaldo, who makes it plain he doesn’t want her. Garibaldo, who claims to love Eduige, offers to kill Grimoaldo for the insult. The woman scorned chooses to humiliate Grimoaldo instead. Now alone, Garibaldo reveals that his “love” for Eduige is nothing more than a power play. She is the rightful heir to the throne of Ariberto while Flavio is a minor. Among the monuments in a cypress grove is an urn erected in memory of King Bertarido. Disguised, the newly-returned King contemplates his memorial and the inscription on his tomb, while wondering about the fate of his queen. Unulfo, who serves Grimoaldo, approaches the King and assures him of his loyalty. The pair hide themselves as Rodelinda approaches with young Flavio. She kisses the urn and bids their child to do likewise. Garibaldo enters with his Guard and seizes the boy. Rodelinda must consent to marry Grimoaldo at once or her son will be put to death. She reluctantly agrees to the terms while assuring Garibaldo that, once she is back on the throne, she will demand his head. Bertarido complains to Unulfo that his wife has yielded too easily. The King forbids him to tell Rodelinda that her husband is still alive. Bertarido now plans to wait for the formalities and, only then, expose Rodelinda’s faithlessness. ACT TWO In the Great Hall, Eduige has heard of Grimoaldo’s marriage proposal to Rodelinda and is horrified that her sister-in-law has given her consent. However, Garibaldo will not help unless Eduige marries him first. Eduige’s infatuation with Grimoaldo turns into hate. Meanwhile, Rodelinda tells Grimoaldo she will only marry him if he kills Flavio before her eyes: she cannot be both usurper’s wife and mother of the lawful heir to the throne. Grimoaldo recoils, despite Garibaldo’s suggestion that he take the queen at her word. Elsewhere, Bertarido sings a mournful song which is heard by Eduige who, naturally, recognizes his voice. She is pleased to learn that he has returned to rescue his wife and child – and not to recover his kingdom (which Eduige prefers to keep for herself). Unulfo tells Bertarido that Rodelinda has remained true to him, and there is no reason for him to continue to hide himself from her. Going to Rodelinda’s apartments, Bertarido throws himself on his knees and begs her forgiveness. As she embraces her husband, Grimoaldo and his guards suddenly appear. Not recognizing the former king, Grimoaldo accuses Rodelinda of immoral behavior. Against her wishes, Bertarido declares himself outraged by this insult to his wife’s honor. Grimoaldo, not sure whether to believe him, places Bertarido under arrest and orders his execution. The loving husband and wife sing their farewells. ACT THREE Eduige and Unulfo hatch a plan to rescue Bertarido. She gives the counselor a key to a passage leading from the prison through an underground vault to the palace gardens. Eduige no longer covets the crown and wants to atone for her earlier actions. Garibaldo, meanwhile, urges Grimoaldo to kill the prisoner, whoever he may be. Grimoaldo fears such an execution will create an insurmountable rift between himself and Rodelinda. Down in the dark dungeon, Bertarido fumbles for a sword thrown down to him by Eduige. He finds it just in time to wound Unulfo as he enters the cell, mistaking him for the executioner. Bertarido flees the prison. Eduige enters, with Rodelinda and Flavio in tow. Seeing fresh blood and Bertarido’s cloak, they assume the worst. In the Royal Gardens, Bertarido bandages Unulfo’s arm before sending him back to look for Rodelinda and Flavio. He is hidden among the trees as Grimoaldo enters, lamenting his jealousy, anger and love. Finally, the usurper sleeps. Garibaldo approaches and slips Grimoaldo’s sword from its scabbard to kill him. As Grimoaldo awakens, Bertarido intervenes and, driving Garibaldo off-stage, kills him, returning to throw the bloodied sword at the usurper’s feet. The astonished Rodelinda is returned to Bertarido, and Grimoaldo humbly renounces his claim on the throne of Milan. He will take Eduige as his wife and content himself to rule Pavia, the other half of the kingdom.