G.F.Handel
"Io t'abbraccio"
Rodelinda, re de' Longobardi, HWV 19
Duetto di Rodelinda e Bertarido, end of act II

Thanks to my dear Marc (MehdiCaps) for editing the audio file.

"Rodelinda, regina de' Longobardi" (HWV 19) is an opera seria in three acts by George Frideric Handel. It was based on a libretto by Nicola Francesco Haym, in turn based on an earlier libretto by Antonio Salvi. Salvi's libretto originated with Pierre Corneille's play "Pertharite, roi des Lombards".

It was first performed at the King's Theatre in the Haymarket, London, on 13 February 1725. It was produced with the same singers as Tamerlano. There were 14 performances and it was repeated on 18 December 1725, and again on 4 May 1731.

It was also performed in Hamburg. The first modern production was in Göttingen on 26 June 1920.


Premiere Cast, February 13, 1725
(Conductor: - )
Rodelinda, Queen of Longobardi: Francesca Cuzzoni (soprano)
Bertarido: Senesino (alto castrato)
Grimoaldo: Francesco Borosini (tenor)
Eduige: Anna Vicenza Dotti (alto)
Unulfo: Andrea Pacini (alto castrato)
Garibaldo: Giuseppe Maria Boschi (bass)

Synopsis:

Grimoaldo has usurped Bertarido in battle, who has fled. It is believed that Bertarido has died in exile, but he sends word to his friend Unulfo that he is alive and in hiding near the palace. Rodelinda and her son, Flavio, are being kept in the palace by Grimoaldo, who has fallen in love with her.


Original text:

RODELINDA e BERTARIDO
Io t'abbraccio.
E più che morte, aspro e forte,
è pel cor mio questo addio,
che il tuo sen dal mio divide.

Ah mia vita!
Ah mio tesoro! se non moro,
è più tiranno quell'affanno,
che dà morte, e non uccide.

Translation (by Kenneth Chalmers):

I embrace you.
And more bitter and harsh than death
to my heart is this farewell
which tears us apart.

Ah, my life!
Ah, my treasure! If I do not die,
then how cruel is that distress
which brings death, but does not kill.

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