Opera in three acts by George Frideric Handel
Libretto adapted from Antonio Salvi
Sung in Italian
Acknowledgment is made to Bärenreiter for use of their New Halle Handel Edition Urtext performing material.
Cast
Ariodante: Bernadette Greevy
Ginevra: Pamela Myers
Dalinda: Morag MacKay
Polinesso: Cynthia Clarey
Lurcanio: Raul Gimenez
The King of Scotland: Petteri
Salomaa Odoardo: Adrian Thompson
Creative Team
| Lighting Design | Mick Hughes |
| Choreographer | Terry John Bates |
| Music Preparation | Ethna Tinney |
| Dancers from Irish National Ballet | Anna Donovan, Caoimhe ni Einigh, Joss Urch, Erich Yetter |
| Courtiers and attendants | Tracey Bounden, Marilyn Dale, Marian Finn, Doreen O'Neill, Christopher Bull, Philip Leech, Peter Sidhom |
The Plot
Act 1
The opera opens with Princess Ginevra, daughter of the King of Scotland, who is in love with and betrothed to Prince Ariodante. She rejects the amorous advances of the Duke of Albany, Polinesso, who then cruelly tricks Ariodante and Ginevra’s father into believing that Ginevra has been unfaithful. The act ends with Ariodante’s despair and his intention to leave Scotland.
Act 2
In the second act, Polinesso continues his scheming by convincing Dalinda, Ginevra’s lady-in-waiting, to disguise herself as Ginevra and lure Ariodante to her. He then plans to kill Ariodante. Meanwhile, Ariodante is still in despair and contemplates suicide. He is saved by Lurcanio, his brother, who tells him that he has seen Ginevra with another man. Ariodante is convinced that Ginevra has been unfaithful and decides to leave Scotland for good.
Act 3
In the third act, Polinesso’s plan is foiled when Lurcanio reveals his true identity and challenges him to a duel. Polinesso is killed in the duel. Meanwhile, Ginevra is put on trial for her alleged infidelity. She is found guilty and sentenced to death. However, Ariodante appears just in time to reveal the truth about Polinesso’s treachery. The King pardons Ginevra and she is reunited with Ariodante.
