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In the pastoral setting, Acis and Galatea fall in love. The giant Polyphemus, jealous of Galatea, kills Acis; Galatea uses her divine power to transform Acis into a fountain, and the chorus celebrates his immortality.
When Admeto is dying, his wife Alceste sacrifices herself to save him; Hercules descends to Hades and brings her back. Meanwhile, the abandoned Trojan princess Antigona returns in disguise, while jealousy and rival claims to Admeto complicate the household until Antigona reunites him with Alceste.
After believing Emperor Claudius has died, Agrippina plots to place her son Nero on the throne. When Claudius returns alive and promises the succession to Otho, Agrippina and Poppaea manipulate the emperor and their rivals through successive deceptions. The plots are exposed and redirected; Claudius ultimately gives Poppaea to Otho and the throne to Nero.
Incidental music by George Frideric Handel, including an overture and songs for Acts 1 and 4, was composed for a planned production of Tobias Smollett’s now-lost play based on Euripides. The production was rehearsed at Covent Garden but never staged.
On the island of the sorceress Alcina, Ruggiero forgets his former life and falls under her spell. His fiancée Bradamante, disguised as her brother Ricciardo, arrives with his tutor Melisso to free him and Alcina’s transformed captives. Morgana falls for Ricciardo, while Alcina grows genuinely attached to Ruggiero. Melisso uses a magic ring to restore Ruggiero’s memory, and he prepares to escape. Bradamante and Ruggiero destroy the source of Alcina’s magic; her palace collapses, her spells end, and the captives return to human form, including Oberto’s father Astolfo.
During Alexander the Great’s campaign in India, two princesses, Lisaura and Rossane, vie for his love as he vacillates between them and proclaims himself a son of Jupiter. After he spares his protesting general Clito, conspirators attempt to overthrow him. Their revolt fails, and Alessandro chooses Rossane while King Tassile is united with Lisaura.
A pasticcio opera based on the story of the Roman emperor Alexander Severus, using music from several earlier Handel operas.
Queen Almira of Castile loves her secretary Fernando, while her guardian expects her to marry his son Osman. Osman loves Edilia, and Princess Bellante loves Osman. A ruby reveals that Fernando is Consalvo’s long-lost son, allowing Almira and Fernando to marry; Osman marries Bellante, and Edilia accepts King Raymondo.
The knight Amadigi loves Oriana, who is also pursued by Dardano, while the sorceress Melissa tries to win Amadigi for herself. After Melissa uses magic to inflame jealousy between the lovers, Amadigi kills Dardano in a duel. Melissa imprisons Amadigi and Oriana, then takes her own life; the sorcerer Orgando blesses their union.
In Crete, Theseus arrives to end Athens’ tribute of youths and maidens to the Minotaur and reunite with Ariadne. Misunderstandings make Ariadne believe he loves Carilda, while the king orders Ariadne sacrificed in Carilda’s place. Theseus kills the Minotaur, reveals Ariadne is Minos’ daughter, and wins permission to marry her; Carilda and Alceste are also joined.
In Scotland, Princess Ginevra is betrothed to Prince Ariodante, but the Duke Polinesso desires her. Polinesso persuades Ginevra’s attendant Dalinda to disguise herself as the princess and admit him to Ginevra’s chamber. Ariodante sees them and believes Ginevra unfaithful; he attempts suicide, and Ginevra is condemned. Polinesso later hires men to kill Dalinda, but Ariodante rescues her and learns the truth. Lurcanio challenges Polinesso to a duel and mortally wounds him. Before dying, Polinesso confesses his plot. The King pardons Ginevra, and she and Ariodante are reunited.
Arminio, a Germanic leader fighting Rome, is captured through the treachery of Segeste, his father-in-law. Segeste hopes to marry his daughter Thusnelda to the Roman general Varo, who desires her, but Varo eventually frees Arminio to fight. Arminio defeats the Romans, kills Varo, and forgives Segeste; he and Thusnelda are reunited.
Princess Atalanta and King Meleagro, each disguised in the countryside, fall in love without recognizing one another. Meanwhile, the shepherd Aminta and Irene conceal their mutual love behind jealousy and teasing. Their identities and feelings are revealed, and Mercury brings Jove’s blessing on the two couples before a celebratory finale.
Queen Berenice is in love with Demetrio but is pressed to marry the Roman Alessandro. Unknown to her, Demetrio and her sister Selene are in love and plotting against her. When Berenice discovers the betrayal, she orders Demetrio’s execution, then relents after Alessandro demonstrates that he loves her without seeking political advantage. She releases Demetrio to marry Selene and agrees to wed Alessandro.
After Pompey’s defeat, Cato and his allies retreat to Utica. Julius Caesar seeks Cato’s friendship and hopes to marry his daughter Marzia, who secretly loves him, but Cato has promised her to the Numidian prince Arbace. Pompey’s widow Emilia schemes against the match. Cato refuses to abandon his republican principles and dies by suicide rather than submit to Caesar.
A lost opera by Handel and Hinrich Hinsch based on the Daphne myth. Its surviving libretto centers on conflict between Phoebus and Cupid and a web of often unrequited loves; the entry does not provide the detailed plot.
Achilles, disguised as a girl named Pyrrha, lives on Skyros and has become Deidamia’s lover. Odysseus and Phoenix arrive to recruit him for the Trojan War. They expose his identity by hiding weapons among women’s finery. Achilles agrees to go to war, and after a quarrel, Odysseus reconciles him with Deidamia. Phoenix and Nerea also unite.
At a festival honoring Phoebus, the god falls in love with Daphne, who is promised to Florindo. Alfirena and Lycoris also love Florindo, while Damon loves Lycoris. Daphne and Florindo obtain their fathers’ consent to marry, and their wedding is celebrated with Phoebus joining the festivities.
After defeating Attila, Roman general Ezio returns to find Emperor Valentiniano intent on marrying Fulvia, whom Ezio loves. Fulvia’s father Massimo plots against the emperor and falsely implicates Ezio; Fulvia shields her father, and when Ezio’s loyalty is revealed, the emperor pardons Massimo and allows the lovers to marry.
Faramondo, king of the Franks, and Rosimonda, daughter of the Cimbrian king Gustavo, fall in love despite Gustavo’s oath to avenge his son Sveno, whom Faramondo killed. Faramondo’s sister Clotilde and Gustavo’s son Adolfo also love one another. When Faramondo rescues Rosimonda and stops a coup, Gustavo prepares to sacrifice him, but a dying Teobaldo reveals that Sveno was his own son. Gustavo spares Faramondo, and the couples are united.
King Flavio is attracted to Teodata, who secretly loves his courtier Vitige. Flavio changes his appointment of Lotario to Ugone in hopes of gaining access to Teodata, angering Lotario. After Lotario slaps Ugone, Ugone’s son Guido is obliged to challenge Lotario, who is Emilia’s father. Guido kills Lotario in a duel, and Emilia vows revenge. Flavio claims Guido has been executed, but reunites him with Emilia when she awakens from a swoon. Flavio also orders Vitige to marry Teodata and remains faithful to his own wife.
In ancient Persia, King Oronte has usurped the throne and raised the rightful princess Elisa as his daughter Elmira. Oronte tries to prevent her marriage to the returning prince Floridante, then reveals his desire to marry her himself. After imprisoning Floridante and threatening Elmira, he is overthrown; Elmira becomes queen, marries Floridante, and pardons Oronte.
In a mythological setting, figures including Jupiter, Isis, Osiris, Diana, and Calisto appear in disguises and mistaken identities among shepherds and rulers.
Julius Caesar arrives in Egypt pursuing Pompey, whose wife Cornelia pleads for his life. Egypt’s co-ruler Tolomeo presents Caesar with Pompey’s severed head. Cornelia and her son Sesto vow revenge, while Tolomeo’s sister Cleopatra seeks Caesar’s support in taking the throne. Caesar and Cleopatra fall in love, and Caesar escapes an assassination attempt after being reported drowned. Sesto kills Tolomeo after he attempts to force himself on Cornelia. Caesar restores Cleopatra as queen of Egypt and returns to Rome.
The ploughman Giustino rescues Princess Leocasta and is enlisted to help Empress Arianna and her husband Anastasio resist the rebel Vitaliano. He saves Arianna from a sea monster, but the jealous general Amanzio convinces Anastasio that she is unfaithful. Giustino and Arianna are banished, and Giustino learns that Vitaliano is his long-lost brother. The two defeat Amanzio, restore Anastasio, and Giustino marries Leocasta.
Hercules returns from war with Princess Iole, provoking his wife Dejanira’s jealousy. Believing a blood-soaked cloak will restore his fidelity, she sends it to him; the poison kills Hercules, and Dejanira descends into madness. Iole pities her, while Hercules is taken to Olympus and his son Hyllus is promised to Iole.
In Arcadia, Amarilli is expected to marry the hunter Silvio to appease Diana, though she loves Mirtillo. Eurilla tricks the lovers into a compromising situation so Amarilli will be condemned, but Diana’s priest reveals that Mirtillo is of divine parentage. The threatened sacrifice is canceled, and Mirtillo and Amarilli, as well as Silvio and Dorinda, are joined in marriage.
After pirates abduct Athenian maidens, Imeneo rescues the captives and asks to marry Rosmene. She loves Tirinto but feels obliged to accept Imeneo out of gratitude. Pretending to receive a judgment from the underworld, she chooses Imeneo, and the chorus endorses reason and honor over passion.
A ballet for nine men set to Handel's Concerti grossi, Op. 6, Nos. 9 and 2. It unfolds through three trios of contrasting moods, with ensemble sections before and after, and ends with a solo.
In tenth-century Italy, Adelaide resists Berengario’s attempt to force her to marry his son after he seized the throne and killed her husband. German King Lotario comes to her aid, but both are captured and threatened. Idelberto ultimately refuses to betray Adelaide; after Lotario’s victory, Adelaide pardons her captors, gives Idelberto the Italian crown, and marries Lotario.
As Tarquinio and Porsena attack Rome, Horatio defends the bridge and saves the city. Roman soldier Muzio tries to assassinate Porsena, fails, then earns the king’s respect by holding his hand in fire. Clelia escapes captivity, Tarquinio is defeated, and Porsena makes peace, allowing Muzio and Clelia and Horatio and Irene to marry.
Haunted by the Furies after killing his mother, Oreste is shipwrecked in Tauris, where his sister Ifigenia serves as a priestess. She does not initially recognize him and must sacrifice foreigners; his wife Ermione and friend Pilade are also captured. When the king refuses mercy, Ifigenia and Filotete turn against him, ending the sacrifices and reuniting the family.
The knight Orlando loves Angelica, who loves Medoro, while the shepherdess Dorinda also loves Medoro. When Orlando discovers the lovers’ relationship, jealousy drives him into madness. The magician Zoroastro protects Angelica and Medoro and restores Orlando’s reason. Orlando accepts their love and wishes them happiness, and Dorinda joins the celebration.
Gismonda and her son Adelberto plot to take Italy from Ottone, who is on his way to marry Theofane. Adelberto impersonates Ottone to win Theofane, but is defeated and imprisoned. He escapes with Matilda’s help and abducts Theofane. After renewed conflict, she and Ottone reunite; Emireno is revealed as Theofane’s brother, and Ottone forgives Gismonda and Adelberto. Matilda and Adelberto are also united.
On Mount Parnassus, Apollo and the Muses gather to celebrate the marriage of Peleus and Thetis, joined by Orpheus. Clio recalls Apollo’s pursuit of Daphne, who escaped him by becoming a laurel tree. The Muses praise Orpheus, who mourns losing Eurydice for a second time after looking back while leading her from the underworld. Apollo and the Muses console him and celebrate the royal couple, whose marriage they say will bless the earth. Tritons sound their conches to begin the wedding festivities; the gods, Muses, nymphs and shepherds celebrate the newlyweds and prophesy a line of heroes.
Queen Partenope receives several suitors, including Arsace and the shy Armindo. Arsace's former fiancée, Princess Rosmira, arrives disguised as Prince Eurimene and tests his fidelity. Partenope rejects the invading Prince Emilio, and Armindo saves her in battle. Rosmira's identity is revealed in a duel, after which she marries Arsace. Partenope chooses Armindo, and Emilio returns to Cumae.
After Alexander conquers India, King Poro disguises himself to avoid capture, while his wife Cleofide seeks mercy and his sister Erissena attracts Alexander and his general. Jealousy, disguises, attempted suicide, and shifting alliances lead to Cleofide’s planned self-immolation; Poro returns, and Alexander forgives the couple and makes peace.
Demetrius seizes the Macedonian throne after murdering Alexander and plans to invade Asia. Ptolemy, Seleucus, and Lysimachus form an alliance against him, joined by Pyrrhus of Epirus. Pyrrhus drives Demetrius from the throne and replaces him, but Lysimachus later drives Pyrrhus away.
Tiridate, king of Armenia, wages war to possess Zenobia, wife of Prince Radamisto. Radamisto and Zenobia flee, are captured, and face repeated threats as Tiridate pursues her. When his army and people rebel, Tiridate releases the couple, seeks his wife Polissena’s forgiveness, and promises to rule justly.
Shipwrecked in Cyprus on her way to marry Richard I, Costanza hides her identity at Governor Isacio’s court. Isacio plans to seduce her and substitute his daughter Pulcheria as Richard’s bride. Richard, disguised as an ambassador, uncovers the plot and later defeats Isacio’s forces when the governor captures Costanza. Isacio is allowed to live but loses power, and Pulcheria rules with Oronte.
During the First Crusade, knight Rinaldo loves Almirena, daughter of the Crusader commander Goffredo. The Saracen king Argante seeks help from the sorceress Armida, who abducts Almirena. Rinaldo leaves his companions to pursue her, while Argante’s love for Almirena leads to conflict with Armida. With a Christian magician’s help, Goffredo and Eustazio reach Armida’s palace and free Almirena. The Crusaders capture Jerusalem; Rinaldo captures Argante, and Armida and Argante accept Christianity. Goffredo forgives them, and the victors and vanquished reconcile.
After Grimoaldo usurps the throne of Milan, Queen Rodelinda and her son Flavio are held captive, while her husband Bertarido is believed dead. Grimoaldo offers to marry Rodelinda and restore her throne, but she refuses. When he threatens Flavio, she agrees only on condition that Grimoaldo kill the boy himself. Bertarido watches in hiding, then secretly reveals he is alive. He is imprisoned but escapes with help from his sister Eduige and counsellor Unulfo. In the palace garden, Bertarido kills Garibaldo, who is about to murder Grimoaldo, but spares the usurper. Grimoaldo gives up the throne and returns to Eduige; Bertarido is restored to Rodelinda and their son.
After deposing the corrupt king Vitizza, Rodrigo repeats his predecessor’s wrongdoing by seducing Florinda and promising to marry her, despite being married to Esilena. A rebellion led by Evanco defeats Rodrigo. Florinda prepares to kill him, but Esilena brings Florinda’s son and persuades her to spare him. Rodrigo abdicates and goes into exile with Esilena; Evanco marries Florinda, and Giuliano becomes regent.
A pasticcio setting of Silvio Stampiglia’s Partenope libretto, assembled with arias attributed to Vivaldi, Handel, Hasse, Pergolesi and other Venetian composers. No independent plot summary is given.
In 1830s Paris, Balzac tells Madame de Rochefide the story of sculptor Sarrasine and the celebrated Roman singer Zambinella. Sarrasine falls in love with Zambinella, then discovers the singer is a castrato. As Sarrasine moves to kill Zambinella, Balzac and Rochefide intervene; Sarrasine dies and Zambinella survives.
At New Carthage, the Roman general Scipione falls in love with the captive Berenice, who loves the disguised Spanish prince Lucejo. Scipione initially considers marriage, but changes his mind when Berenice’s father honors his promise to Lucejo. He frees the couple and gives them their ransom as a wedding gift.
Semele, daughter of Cadmus, loves Jupiter rather than her intended husband Athamas. Jupiter carries her away to a mountain palace, where she enjoys their life together but grows dissatisfied with being mortal. Juno disguises herself as Semele’s sister and persuades her to demand that Jupiter appear in his divine form. Bound by his oath, Jupiter grants her wish; his thunderbolts consume her. Apollo announces that her unborn child will be Bacchus, and Athamas accepts Ino as his bride.
King Serse falls in love with Romilda, who loves his brother Arsamene. Serse orders Arsamene to court her on his behalf, then banishes him. Arsamene’s servant Elviro tries to deliver a letter, but Romilda’s sister Atalanta intercepts it and deceives both Romilda and Serse. Meanwhile, the princess Amastre, whom Serse jilted, disguises herself and confronts the King’s plans. Serse orders Arsamene to kill Romilda, but Amastre reveals her identity. Serse admits his fault, agrees to marry Amastre, and accepts Romilda and Arsamene’s marriage.
After defeating his enemies, Silla declares himself dictator. He tries to seduce Celia and Flavia, but his wife Metella stops him. He imprisons Lepido and Claudio, whom Celia loves, and sentences them to death. Metella uses a bloodstained garment to convince Silla that Lepido has been executed, then frees the prisoners. The couples reunite, and Metella rescues Silla from a shipwreck. The god Mars appears as Rome’s supporters rise against the tyrant; Silla repents, retires with Metella, and consents to Claudio and Celia’s marriage.
In a fictionalized seventh-century Persian court, Crown Prince Siroe is caught among his brother’s ambitions, his father’s suspicions, and the competing demands of Emira and Laodice. He refuses to expose conspirators and faces execution, but confessions and reversals reveal the plots; Siroe survives, forgives his brother, and succeeds his abdicating father.
Melo rebels against his father, King Haliate, believing that Haliate plans to favor his illegitimate son Argone. Sosarme, king of the Medes, tries to mediate while in love with Haliate’s daughter Elmira. After the conspirator Altomaro’s plans are exposed and he dies by suicide, Haliate and Melo reconcile, and Sosarme and Elmira are to marry.
After defeating the Ottoman sultan Bajazet, Tamerlano seeks to marry Bajazet’s daughter Asteria, who loves the Greek prince Andronico. Asteria and her father resist, and she attempts to poison Tamerlano. Bajazet takes poison and dies; the events lead Tamerlano to pardon Asteria and Andronico and unite with Irene.
Erato and her followers summon Apollo, who arrives with the Muses. They call Terpsicore, who demonstrates dance’s power by expressing varied emotions through movement. Solo singers and chorus then praise the virtuous deeds of wise people, celebrated in the opera that follows.
Teseo, an unknown son of King Egeo, serves Athens as a hero and loves the princess Agilea. The sorceress Medea also loves him and repeatedly uses magic to separate the couple. Egeo nearly gives Teseo a poisoned drink, but recognizes the sword left with his son in infancy and discovers his identity. Teseo and Agilea are reunited, and Minerva banishes Medea.
An opera pasticcio combining Baroque music by several composers with a new text by Jeremy Sams. It brings together characters from Shakespeare’s The Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, including Prospero, Miranda, Ariel, Helena, Hermia, Demetrius and Lysander.
The Roman governor Valens orders Christians in Antioch to sacrifice to Roman gods. Theodora is sentenced to serve in a brothel, and Didymus, a soldier secretly converted to Christianity, rescues her by disguising her in his uniform. When both are captured and sentenced to death, each offers to die for the other; Valens condemns them both, and they sing of immortality.
The deposed Egyptian ruler Tolomeo lives in disguise on Cyprus, where he encounters his shipwrecked brother Alessandro and his wife Seleuce, also living under an alias. They conceal their identities as the king of Cyprus and his sister pursue them. Tolomeo drinks a potion that is presented as poison but is actually a sleeping draught. Alessandro reunites the couple and declares Tolomeo Egypt’s rightful ruler.
In the pastoral setting, Acis and Galatea fall in love. The giant Polyphemus, jealous of Galatea, kills Acis; Galatea uses her divine power to transform Acis into a fountain, and the chorus celebrates his immortality.
When Admeto is dying, his wife Alceste sacrifices herself to save him; Hercules descends to Hades and brings her back. Meanwhile, the abandoned Trojan princess Antigona returns in disguise, while jealousy and rival claims to Admeto complicate the household until Antigona reunites him with Alceste.
After believing Emperor Claudius has died, Agrippina plots to place her son Nero on the throne. When Claudius returns alive and promises the succession to Otho, Agrippina and Poppaea manipulate the emperor and their rivals through successive deceptions. The plots are exposed and redirected; Claudius ultimately gives Poppaea to Otho and the throne to Nero.
Incidental music by George Frideric Handel, including an overture and songs for Acts 1 and 4, was composed for a planned production of Tobias Smollett’s now-lost play based on Euripides. The production was rehearsed at Covent Garden but never staged.
On the island of the sorceress Alcina, Ruggiero forgets his former life and falls under her spell. His fiancée Bradamante, disguised as her brother Ricciardo, arrives with his tutor Melisso to free him and Alcina’s transformed captives. Morgana falls for Ricciardo, while Alcina grows genuinely attached to Ruggiero. Melisso uses a magic ring to restore Ruggiero’s memory, and he prepares to escape. Bradamante and Ruggiero destroy the source of Alcina’s magic; her palace collapses, her spells end, and the captives return to human form, including Oberto’s father Astolfo.
During Alexander the Great’s campaign in India, two princesses, Lisaura and Rossane, vie for his love as he vacillates between them and proclaims himself a son of Jupiter. After he spares his protesting general Clito, conspirators attempt to overthrow him. Their revolt fails, and Alessandro chooses Rossane while King Tassile is united with Lisaura.
A pasticcio opera based on the story of the Roman emperor Alexander Severus, using music from several earlier Handel operas.
Queen Almira of Castile loves her secretary Fernando, while her guardian expects her to marry his son Osman. Osman loves Edilia, and Princess Bellante loves Osman. A ruby reveals that Fernando is Consalvo’s long-lost son, allowing Almira and Fernando to marry; Osman marries Bellante, and Edilia accepts King Raymondo.
The knight Amadigi loves Oriana, who is also pursued by Dardano, while the sorceress Melissa tries to win Amadigi for herself. After Melissa uses magic to inflame jealousy between the lovers, Amadigi kills Dardano in a duel. Melissa imprisons Amadigi and Oriana, then takes her own life; the sorcerer Orgando blesses their union.
In Crete, Theseus arrives to end Athens’ tribute of youths and maidens to the Minotaur and reunite with Ariadne. Misunderstandings make Ariadne believe he loves Carilda, while the king orders Ariadne sacrificed in Carilda’s place. Theseus kills the Minotaur, reveals Ariadne is Minos’ daughter, and wins permission to marry her; Carilda and Alceste are also joined.
In Scotland, Princess Ginevra is betrothed to Prince Ariodante, but the Duke Polinesso desires her. Polinesso persuades Ginevra’s attendant Dalinda to disguise herself as the princess and admit him to Ginevra’s chamber. Ariodante sees them and believes Ginevra unfaithful; he attempts suicide, and Ginevra is condemned. Polinesso later hires men to kill Dalinda, but Ariodante rescues her and learns the truth. Lurcanio challenges Polinesso to a duel and mortally wounds him. Before dying, Polinesso confesses his plot. The King pardons Ginevra, and she and Ariodante are reunited.
Arminio, a Germanic leader fighting Rome, is captured through the treachery of Segeste, his father-in-law. Segeste hopes to marry his daughter Thusnelda to the Roman general Varo, who desires her, but Varo eventually frees Arminio to fight. Arminio defeats the Romans, kills Varo, and forgives Segeste; he and Thusnelda are reunited.
Princess Atalanta and King Meleagro, each disguised in the countryside, fall in love without recognizing one another. Meanwhile, the shepherd Aminta and Irene conceal their mutual love behind jealousy and teasing. Their identities and feelings are revealed, and Mercury brings Jove’s blessing on the two couples before a celebratory finale.
Queen Berenice is in love with Demetrio but is pressed to marry the Roman Alessandro. Unknown to her, Demetrio and her sister Selene are in love and plotting against her. When Berenice discovers the betrayal, she orders Demetrio’s execution, then relents after Alessandro demonstrates that he loves her without seeking political advantage. She releases Demetrio to marry Selene and agrees to wed Alessandro.
After Pompey’s defeat, Cato and his allies retreat to Utica. Julius Caesar seeks Cato’s friendship and hopes to marry his daughter Marzia, who secretly loves him, but Cato has promised her to the Numidian prince Arbace. Pompey’s widow Emilia schemes against the match. Cato refuses to abandon his republican principles and dies by suicide rather than submit to Caesar.
A lost opera by Handel and Hinrich Hinsch based on the Daphne myth. Its surviving libretto centers on conflict between Phoebus and Cupid and a web of often unrequited loves; the entry does not provide the detailed plot.
Achilles, disguised as a girl named Pyrrha, lives on Skyros and has become Deidamia’s lover. Odysseus and Phoenix arrive to recruit him for the Trojan War. They expose his identity by hiding weapons among women’s finery. Achilles agrees to go to war, and after a quarrel, Odysseus reconciles him with Deidamia. Phoenix and Nerea also unite.
At a festival honoring Phoebus, the god falls in love with Daphne, who is promised to Florindo. Alfirena and Lycoris also love Florindo, while Damon loves Lycoris. Daphne and Florindo obtain their fathers’ consent to marry, and their wedding is celebrated with Phoebus joining the festivities.
After defeating Attila, Roman general Ezio returns to find Emperor Valentiniano intent on marrying Fulvia, whom Ezio loves. Fulvia’s father Massimo plots against the emperor and falsely implicates Ezio; Fulvia shields her father, and when Ezio’s loyalty is revealed, the emperor pardons Massimo and allows the lovers to marry.
Faramondo, king of the Franks, and Rosimonda, daughter of the Cimbrian king Gustavo, fall in love despite Gustavo’s oath to avenge his son Sveno, whom Faramondo killed. Faramondo’s sister Clotilde and Gustavo’s son Adolfo also love one another. When Faramondo rescues Rosimonda and stops a coup, Gustavo prepares to sacrifice him, but a dying Teobaldo reveals that Sveno was his own son. Gustavo spares Faramondo, and the couples are united.
King Flavio is attracted to Teodata, who secretly loves his courtier Vitige. Flavio changes his appointment of Lotario to Ugone in hopes of gaining access to Teodata, angering Lotario. After Lotario slaps Ugone, Ugone’s son Guido is obliged to challenge Lotario, who is Emilia’s father. Guido kills Lotario in a duel, and Emilia vows revenge. Flavio claims Guido has been executed, but reunites him with Emilia when she awakens from a swoon. Flavio also orders Vitige to marry Teodata and remains faithful to his own wife.
In ancient Persia, King Oronte has usurped the throne and raised the rightful princess Elisa as his daughter Elmira. Oronte tries to prevent her marriage to the returning prince Floridante, then reveals his desire to marry her himself. After imprisoning Floridante and threatening Elmira, he is overthrown; Elmira becomes queen, marries Floridante, and pardons Oronte.
In a mythological setting, figures including Jupiter, Isis, Osiris, Diana, and Calisto appear in disguises and mistaken identities among shepherds and rulers.
Julius Caesar arrives in Egypt pursuing Pompey, whose wife Cornelia pleads for his life. Egypt’s co-ruler Tolomeo presents Caesar with Pompey’s severed head. Cornelia and her son Sesto vow revenge, while Tolomeo’s sister Cleopatra seeks Caesar’s support in taking the throne. Caesar and Cleopatra fall in love, and Caesar escapes an assassination attempt after being reported drowned. Sesto kills Tolomeo after he attempts to force himself on Cornelia. Caesar restores Cleopatra as queen of Egypt and returns to Rome.
The ploughman Giustino rescues Princess Leocasta and is enlisted to help Empress Arianna and her husband Anastasio resist the rebel Vitaliano. He saves Arianna from a sea monster, but the jealous general Amanzio convinces Anastasio that she is unfaithful. Giustino and Arianna are banished, and Giustino learns that Vitaliano is his long-lost brother. The two defeat Amanzio, restore Anastasio, and Giustino marries Leocasta.
Hercules returns from war with Princess Iole, provoking his wife Dejanira’s jealousy. Believing a blood-soaked cloak will restore his fidelity, she sends it to him; the poison kills Hercules, and Dejanira descends into madness. Iole pities her, while Hercules is taken to Olympus and his son Hyllus is promised to Iole.
In Arcadia, Amarilli is expected to marry the hunter Silvio to appease Diana, though she loves Mirtillo. Eurilla tricks the lovers into a compromising situation so Amarilli will be condemned, but Diana’s priest reveals that Mirtillo is of divine parentage. The threatened sacrifice is canceled, and Mirtillo and Amarilli, as well as Silvio and Dorinda, are joined in marriage.
After pirates abduct Athenian maidens, Imeneo rescues the captives and asks to marry Rosmene. She loves Tirinto but feels obliged to accept Imeneo out of gratitude. Pretending to receive a judgment from the underworld, she chooses Imeneo, and the chorus endorses reason and honor over passion.
A ballet for nine men set to Handel's Concerti grossi, Op. 6, Nos. 9 and 2. It unfolds through three trios of contrasting moods, with ensemble sections before and after, and ends with a solo.
In tenth-century Italy, Adelaide resists Berengario’s attempt to force her to marry his son after he seized the throne and killed her husband. German King Lotario comes to her aid, but both are captured and threatened. Idelberto ultimately refuses to betray Adelaide; after Lotario’s victory, Adelaide pardons her captors, gives Idelberto the Italian crown, and marries Lotario.
As Tarquinio and Porsena attack Rome, Horatio defends the bridge and saves the city. Roman soldier Muzio tries to assassinate Porsena, fails, then earns the king’s respect by holding his hand in fire. Clelia escapes captivity, Tarquinio is defeated, and Porsena makes peace, allowing Muzio and Clelia and Horatio and Irene to marry.
Haunted by the Furies after killing his mother, Oreste is shipwrecked in Tauris, where his sister Ifigenia serves as a priestess. She does not initially recognize him and must sacrifice foreigners; his wife Ermione and friend Pilade are also captured. When the king refuses mercy, Ifigenia and Filotete turn against him, ending the sacrifices and reuniting the family.
The knight Orlando loves Angelica, who loves Medoro, while the shepherdess Dorinda also loves Medoro. When Orlando discovers the lovers’ relationship, jealousy drives him into madness. The magician Zoroastro protects Angelica and Medoro and restores Orlando’s reason. Orlando accepts their love and wishes them happiness, and Dorinda joins the celebration.
Gismonda and her son Adelberto plot to take Italy from Ottone, who is on his way to marry Theofane. Adelberto impersonates Ottone to win Theofane, but is defeated and imprisoned. He escapes with Matilda’s help and abducts Theofane. After renewed conflict, she and Ottone reunite; Emireno is revealed as Theofane’s brother, and Ottone forgives Gismonda and Adelberto. Matilda and Adelberto are also united.
On Mount Parnassus, Apollo and the Muses gather to celebrate the marriage of Peleus and Thetis, joined by Orpheus. Clio recalls Apollo’s pursuit of Daphne, who escaped him by becoming a laurel tree. The Muses praise Orpheus, who mourns losing Eurydice for a second time after looking back while leading her from the underworld. Apollo and the Muses console him and celebrate the royal couple, whose marriage they say will bless the earth. Tritons sound their conches to begin the wedding festivities; the gods, Muses, nymphs and shepherds celebrate the newlyweds and prophesy a line of heroes.
Queen Partenope receives several suitors, including Arsace and the shy Armindo. Arsace's former fiancée, Princess Rosmira, arrives disguised as Prince Eurimene and tests his fidelity. Partenope rejects the invading Prince Emilio, and Armindo saves her in battle. Rosmira's identity is revealed in a duel, after which she marries Arsace. Partenope chooses Armindo, and Emilio returns to Cumae.
After Alexander conquers India, King Poro disguises himself to avoid capture, while his wife Cleofide seeks mercy and his sister Erissena attracts Alexander and his general. Jealousy, disguises, attempted suicide, and shifting alliances lead to Cleofide’s planned self-immolation; Poro returns, and Alexander forgives the couple and makes peace.
Demetrius seizes the Macedonian throne after murdering Alexander and plans to invade Asia. Ptolemy, Seleucus, and Lysimachus form an alliance against him, joined by Pyrrhus of Epirus. Pyrrhus drives Demetrius from the throne and replaces him, but Lysimachus later drives Pyrrhus away.
Tiridate, king of Armenia, wages war to possess Zenobia, wife of Prince Radamisto. Radamisto and Zenobia flee, are captured, and face repeated threats as Tiridate pursues her. When his army and people rebel, Tiridate releases the couple, seeks his wife Polissena’s forgiveness, and promises to rule justly.
Shipwrecked in Cyprus on her way to marry Richard I, Costanza hides her identity at Governor Isacio’s court. Isacio plans to seduce her and substitute his daughter Pulcheria as Richard’s bride. Richard, disguised as an ambassador, uncovers the plot and later defeats Isacio’s forces when the governor captures Costanza. Isacio is allowed to live but loses power, and Pulcheria rules with Oronte.
During the First Crusade, knight Rinaldo loves Almirena, daughter of the Crusader commander Goffredo. The Saracen king Argante seeks help from the sorceress Armida, who abducts Almirena. Rinaldo leaves his companions to pursue her, while Argante’s love for Almirena leads to conflict with Armida. With a Christian magician’s help, Goffredo and Eustazio reach Armida’s palace and free Almirena. The Crusaders capture Jerusalem; Rinaldo captures Argante, and Armida and Argante accept Christianity. Goffredo forgives them, and the victors and vanquished reconcile.
After Grimoaldo usurps the throne of Milan, Queen Rodelinda and her son Flavio are held captive, while her husband Bertarido is believed dead. Grimoaldo offers to marry Rodelinda and restore her throne, but she refuses. When he threatens Flavio, she agrees only on condition that Grimoaldo kill the boy himself. Bertarido watches in hiding, then secretly reveals he is alive. He is imprisoned but escapes with help from his sister Eduige and counsellor Unulfo. In the palace garden, Bertarido kills Garibaldo, who is about to murder Grimoaldo, but spares the usurper. Grimoaldo gives up the throne and returns to Eduige; Bertarido is restored to Rodelinda and their son.
After deposing the corrupt king Vitizza, Rodrigo repeats his predecessor’s wrongdoing by seducing Florinda and promising to marry her, despite being married to Esilena. A rebellion led by Evanco defeats Rodrigo. Florinda prepares to kill him, but Esilena brings Florinda’s son and persuades her to spare him. Rodrigo abdicates and goes into exile with Esilena; Evanco marries Florinda, and Giuliano becomes regent.
A pasticcio setting of Silvio Stampiglia’s Partenope libretto, assembled with arias attributed to Vivaldi, Handel, Hasse, Pergolesi and other Venetian composers. No independent plot summary is given.
In 1830s Paris, Balzac tells Madame de Rochefide the story of sculptor Sarrasine and the celebrated Roman singer Zambinella. Sarrasine falls in love with Zambinella, then discovers the singer is a castrato. As Sarrasine moves to kill Zambinella, Balzac and Rochefide intervene; Sarrasine dies and Zambinella survives.
At New Carthage, the Roman general Scipione falls in love with the captive Berenice, who loves the disguised Spanish prince Lucejo. Scipione initially considers marriage, but changes his mind when Berenice’s father honors his promise to Lucejo. He frees the couple and gives them their ransom as a wedding gift.
Semele, daughter of Cadmus, loves Jupiter rather than her intended husband Athamas. Jupiter carries her away to a mountain palace, where she enjoys their life together but grows dissatisfied with being mortal. Juno disguises herself as Semele’s sister and persuades her to demand that Jupiter appear in his divine form. Bound by his oath, Jupiter grants her wish; his thunderbolts consume her. Apollo announces that her unborn child will be Bacchus, and Athamas accepts Ino as his bride.
King Serse falls in love with Romilda, who loves his brother Arsamene. Serse orders Arsamene to court her on his behalf, then banishes him. Arsamene’s servant Elviro tries to deliver a letter, but Romilda’s sister Atalanta intercepts it and deceives both Romilda and Serse. Meanwhile, the princess Amastre, whom Serse jilted, disguises herself and confronts the King’s plans. Serse orders Arsamene to kill Romilda, but Amastre reveals her identity. Serse admits his fault, agrees to marry Amastre, and accepts Romilda and Arsamene’s marriage.
After defeating his enemies, Silla declares himself dictator. He tries to seduce Celia and Flavia, but his wife Metella stops him. He imprisons Lepido and Claudio, whom Celia loves, and sentences them to death. Metella uses a bloodstained garment to convince Silla that Lepido has been executed, then frees the prisoners. The couples reunite, and Metella rescues Silla from a shipwreck. The god Mars appears as Rome’s supporters rise against the tyrant; Silla repents, retires with Metella, and consents to Claudio and Celia’s marriage.
In a fictionalized seventh-century Persian court, Crown Prince Siroe is caught among his brother’s ambitions, his father’s suspicions, and the competing demands of Emira and Laodice. He refuses to expose conspirators and faces execution, but confessions and reversals reveal the plots; Siroe survives, forgives his brother, and succeeds his abdicating father.
Melo rebels against his father, King Haliate, believing that Haliate plans to favor his illegitimate son Argone. Sosarme, king of the Medes, tries to mediate while in love with Haliate’s daughter Elmira. After the conspirator Altomaro’s plans are exposed and he dies by suicide, Haliate and Melo reconcile, and Sosarme and Elmira are to marry.
After defeating the Ottoman sultan Bajazet, Tamerlano seeks to marry Bajazet’s daughter Asteria, who loves the Greek prince Andronico. Asteria and her father resist, and she attempts to poison Tamerlano. Bajazet takes poison and dies; the events lead Tamerlano to pardon Asteria and Andronico and unite with Irene.
Erato and her followers summon Apollo, who arrives with the Muses. They call Terpsicore, who demonstrates dance’s power by expressing varied emotions through movement. Solo singers and chorus then praise the virtuous deeds of wise people, celebrated in the opera that follows.
Teseo, an unknown son of King Egeo, serves Athens as a hero and loves the princess Agilea. The sorceress Medea also loves him and repeatedly uses magic to separate the couple. Egeo nearly gives Teseo a poisoned drink, but recognizes the sword left with his son in infancy and discovers his identity. Teseo and Agilea are reunited, and Minerva banishes Medea.
An opera pasticcio combining Baroque music by several composers with a new text by Jeremy Sams. It brings together characters from Shakespeare’s The Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, including Prospero, Miranda, Ariel, Helena, Hermia, Demetrius and Lysander.
The Roman governor Valens orders Christians in Antioch to sacrifice to Roman gods. Theodora is sentenced to serve in a brothel, and Didymus, a soldier secretly converted to Christianity, rescues her by disguising her in his uniform. When both are captured and sentenced to death, each offers to die for the other; Valens condemns them both, and they sing of immortality.
The deposed Egyptian ruler Tolomeo lives in disguise on Cyprus, where he encounters his shipwrecked brother Alessandro and his wife Seleuce, also living under an alias. They conceal their identities as the king of Cyprus and his sister pursue them. Tolomeo drinks a potion that is presented as poison but is actually a sleeping draught. Alessandro reunites the couple and declares Tolomeo Egypt’s rightful ruler.