Rinaldo

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In the late 11th century, an army of ill-equipped knights set out for the Holy Land, driven by the vague notion of reconquering Jerusalem for Christianity. The political results of this crazy undertaking did not last, but the adventures of the crusaders have never ceased to inspire poets and musicians. Handel used the material too. In his version, the enchantress Armida tries to hold back the crusader Rinaldo from the conquest of Jerusalem: she abducts his beloved, Almirena, and lures him to her castle, where temptations and dangers lurk. But Rinaldo – unlike numerous other male characters in Handel – proves to be a surprisingly conscientious hero. For Rinaldo, Handel pulled out all the stops: the opera is full of catchy tunes and spectacular effects, from fire-spitting dragons to live birds. Rinaldo was a resounding success – and marked Handel’s glittering debut on the London opera scene.

A Halle Opera production as part of the Handel Festival