RODELINDA / GEORG FRIEDRICH HANDEL (CONCERT VERSION)

Rodelinda – one of Georg Friedrich Handel’s most excellent operas. After its premiere on 13th February 1725 at King’s Theatre in London, it was performed 13 more times. Its restaging with a new cast in 1731 enjoyed no less success. It was also staged in Hamburg in 1735 and 1736, and then disappeared from theatres for almost 200 years. In 1920, Rodelinda, happily rediscovered in 1920 by Oskar Hagen – Arts history lecturer at the University of Göttingen – inaugurated the comeback of Handel’s music to opera houses.

Handel’s love for opera was widely known. After all, he authored over forty titles and devoted half of his life to this particular music genre, not only sacrificing his health, but also financial resources. The creation of Rodelinda coincided with the heyday of the Royal Academy of Music, which was run by Handel and so generously supported by king George I.

Concise and perfectly constructed libretto was written by Nicola Francesco Haym, based on the earlier libretto authored by Antonio Salvi, while the plot originates from Paul the Deacon of Aquileia. It is this particular author who, in his History of Longobards, brought about the story of loyal and indomitable queen Rodelinda. It is also possible that Handel himself took part in the final construction of the text used for the opera. The lucid and, from the dramaturgical point of view, perfectly planned form of the work – give away his style. The juxtaposition of contrasting feelings evoke strong emotions – love meets loathing, despair meets hope.

Marta Dziewanowska-Pachowska

FRAGMENTS PERFORMED

Ouverture
Aria Rodelindy Ho perduto il caro sposo
Aria Grimoalda Io già t’amai, ritrosa
Aria Eduige Lo farò, dirò spietato
Recytatyw accompagnato Bertarida Pompe vane di morte!
Aria Rodelindy Morrai, sì, l’empia tua testa
Recytatyw accompagnato Bertarida Si, l’infida consorte
Aria Bertarida Confusa si miri l’infida consorte
Aria Garibalda Tirannia gli diede il regno
Aria Grimoalda Tuo drudo è mio rivale
Duet Rodelindy i Bertarida Io t’abbraccio
Aria Unulfa Un zeffiro, spirò
Aria Rodelindy Se’l mio duol non è si forte
Recytatyw accompagnato Grimoalda Fatto inferno è il mio petto
Aria Bertarida Vivi tiranno!
Coro Dopo la notte oscura più lucido

CAST

RODELINDA OLGA PASIECZNIK
BERTARIDO KACPER SZELĄŻEK 
GRIMOALDO SYLWESTER SMULCZYŃSKI 
EDUIGE JOANNA TALARKIEWICZ
UNULFO MAGDALENA PLUTA
GARIBALDO PAWEŁ MICHALCZUK

THE PERIOD INSTRUMENTS ENSEMBLE OF THE POLISH ROYAL OPERA CAPELLA REGIA POLONA
CONDUCTOR KRZYSZTOF GARSTKA

Duration: around 1h 10 min
Seats are not numbered.
PLEASE NOTE: the entrance to the Royal Theatre in the Łazienki Park is located in ul. Agrykola.
One hour before the performance, and also for an hour after its end, the audience can use the electric cart running between the Royal Theater and the Łazienki Gate at the corner of Myśliwiecka / Agrykola streets.

We kindly encourage you to read the rules of participation in cultural events organized by the Polish Royal Opera:

• If you are not feeling well, are ill, had contact with an infected person – stay home.
• Please, take a mask with you. After entering the Theatre building you are obliged to wear a mask covering mouth and nose.
• Allow temperature check at the entrance.
• Disinfect your hands after entering the Theatre building.
• Please remember to sign the Participant Declaration. If possible, please bring the printed and signed declaration with you, if not – fill it in in the Theatre, in the place shown by the staff.
• Should the cloakroom be closed on the day of event, please take your outerwear to the auditorium
• Take the seat shown to you by the staff.
• Please come earlier – latecomers will not be allowed into the auditorium.

We care about the safety of our Guests!

• Disinfectants are available at the entrance to the building.
• Upon your entrance, audience service personnel may check your temperature.
• The common space and sanitary rooms are disinfected.
• Only 25% maximum of the seats in the auditorium will be available.
• We keep safe distance.

Should you have questions, we are at your disposal on site or under the phone number +48 500 309 424.

The Regulations of Ticket Sale and Participation in Artistic Events Organized by the Polish Royal Opera.

The Declaration of the Participant of an Artistic Event Organized by the Polish Royal Opera in Warsaw