GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL
ORLANDO
Sunday, February 3, 2013 — 2:30pm
IN ITALIAN WITH SURTITLES
Innovative. Agile. Vibrant.
With Kevin Mallon and the Aradia Ensemble.
Orlando is a radically innovative Baroque work that captures Handel's commitment to re-shaping opera as an art form. Originally written for a castrato singer,
this performance is filled with thrilling high notes and vocal flourishes.
This psycho-drama is centered on a warrior in Charlemagne's army who is led astray by unrequited love. As Orlando falls victim to jealousy and descends into madness, only magic can restore his sanity.
Featuring
Kevin Mallon, Conductor
Aradia Ensemble, Orchestra
Guillermo Silva-Marin, Dramatic Advisor
David Trudgen as Orlando
Virginia Hatfield as Angelica
Scott Belluz as Medoro
SYNOPSIS
Act I
Orlando, a knight, is torn between glory and love. Zoroastro, a magician, urges him to follow Mars, the
god of war, but Orlando decides instead that glory can be gained through the pursuit of love. Angelica,
the Queen of Cathay, has fallen in love with an African prince: Medoro, whose wounds she healed when
he was being tended to by Dorinda. Dorinda loves Medoro and is jealous. Orlando's protestations of
love to Angelica have fallen on deaf ears. Medoro declares his love for Angelica. Zoroastro tells Angelica
he knows she loves Medoro, and warns her against Orlando's jealousy. When Orlando arrives, Angelica
says he must prove his love for her by renouncing Isabella forever. He agrees. Now Medoro is jealous
and Orlando's embrace with Angelica is seen by Dorinda. Angelica buys Dorinda's peace with jewellery.
Act II
Dorinda is inconsolable. She tells Orlando of Angelica's love for Medoro and shows Orlando the jewel — a jewel Orlando himself had previously given to Angelica — though she says it came from Medoro. When
Orlando sees Angelica and Medoro's names carved in a tree, he threatens to kill Angelica, but Zoroastro
intervenes and bears Angelica away in a cloud. Orlando becomes unhinged and Zoroastro takes him
away on his chariot.
Act III
Dorinda, no longer deluded, happily provides shelter for Medoro. Still insane, Orlando arrives,
announcing his love for Dorinda. Dorinda tells Angelica of Orlando's madness, but also says that Orlando has killed Medoro. Angelica is grief-stricken. Zoroastro restores Orlando to sanity and Dorinda tells
him he has murdered Medoro. Distraught, Orlando vows to kill himself; however, Zoroastro has in fact
saved Medoro and Orlando is convinced by Zoroastro to bless the wedding of Angelica and Medoro.
Orlando has gained glory through love.
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