from Act II of the Italian opera Orlando by George Frideric Handel

Libretto: Carlo Sigismondo Capece

Role: Medoro, African prince, beloved of Angelica

Voice Part: contralto       Fach: contralto

Setting: the woods

Synopsis: Medoro carves his name and Angelica's name on a tree trunk, declaring that the tree will forever show that their love is true.

from Act II of the Italian opera Orlando by George Frideric Handel

Libretto: Carlo Sigismondo Capece

Role: Orlando, a warrior

Voice Part: countertenor       Fach: countertenor

Setting: the woods

Synopsis: After Dorinda reminds him that his former love, Angelica, is now in love with Medoro, Orlando becomes very angry and very jealous.

from Act I, Scene 1 of the Italian opera Orlando by George Frideric Handel

Libretto: Carlo Sigismondo Capece

Role: Orlando, a warrior

Voice Part: countertenor       Fach: countertenor

Setting: in the countryside at night

Synopsis: Angry because his former love, Angelica, has fallen in love with another, Orlando swears that he will find vengeance no matter what stands in his way.

from Act III, Scene 2 of the Italian opera Orlando by George Frideric Handel

Libretto: Carlo Sigismondo Capece

Role: Orlando, a warrior

Voice Part: countertenor       Fach: countertenor

Setting: a cavern

Synopsis: After hurling Angelica into a cavern in his madness, Orlando declares that he has slain the foul beasts that once lived in the cavern.

from Act II of the Italian opera Orlando by George Frideric Handel

Libretto: Carlo Sigismondo Capece

Role: Orlando, a warrior

Voice Part: countertenor       Fach: countertenor

Setting: the woods

Synopsis: Orlando has gone mad because of the extreme jealousy he feels for Angelica, who loves another. He thinks that he is surrounded by mythical creatures and gods.

from Act I, Scene 1 of the Italian opera Orlando by George Frideric Handel

Libretto: Carlo Sigismondo Capece

Role: Zoroastro, a magician

Voice Part: bass       Fach: heavy bass

Setting: in the countryside at night

Synopsis: After reading the stars, Zoroastro tells Orlando that he will perform many brave deeds in the near future.

from Act III, Scene 2 of the Italian opera Orlando by George Frideric Handel

Libretto: Carlo Sigismondo Capece

Role: Zoroastro, a magician

Voice Part: bass       Fach: heavy bass

Setting: a cavern

Synopsis: Zoroastro tries to mend the circumstances that have caused Orlando to go insane. He declares that it is possible for Orlando's sorrow to one day become his greatest joy.

from Act II of the Italian opera Orlando by George Frideric Handel

Libretto: Carlo Sigismondo Capece

Role: Zoroastro, a magician

Voice Part: bass       Fach: heavy bass

Setting: the woods

Synopsis: Zoroastro tells Angelica and Medoro to escape from Orlando before his jealousy of Angelica causes him to injure one of them. He explains that Orlando's mind is fogged by strong emotions at this moment. If he doesn't break out of this fog soon, Zoroastro warns that Orlando may go mad.