Rodrigo (HWV 5) is an opera in three acts composed by George Frideric Handel. Its original title was Vincer se stesso è la maggior vittoria ("To overcome oneself is the greater victory"). The opera is based on the historical figure of Rodrigo, the last Visigothic king of Spain. The libretto was based on Francesco Silvani's II duello d'Amore e di Vendetta ("The conflict between love and revenge"). Dating from 1707, it was Handel's first opera written for performance in Italy, and the first performance took place in Florence late in 1707.
Librettist | After Francesco Silvani's II duello d'Amore e di Vendetta |
Date of composition | 1707 (Some music is lost) |
Premiered | November 1707 (Teatro di via del Cocomero) in Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy |
Type | Opera |
Catalogue | HWV 5 |
Approx. duration | 156 minutes |
Spoken language | Italian |
Instruments |
Orchestra
Voice (Castrato) - Rodrigo, the King Voice (Soprano) - Esilena, wife to Rodrigo Voice (Soprano) - Florinda, mother to Rodrigo's child Voice (Tenor) - Giuliano, brother to Florinda Voice (Soprano) - Evanco, last surviving son of Vitizza, the previous King Voice (Castrato) - Fernando, minister to Rodrigo |
Links | |
Autotranslations beta |
Georg Friedrich Haendel: Rodrigo, HWV 5 Georg Friedrich Händel: Rodrigo, HWV 5 Georg Friedrich Händel: Rodrigo, HWV 5 |