Handel - Rinaldo

Rinaldo (1711) is an opera by German-born composer George Frideric Handel, set during the First Crusade. With Rinaldo, Handel plunges us into a chivalrous, romantic world. With birds, dragons, lightning, and thunderbolts, this spectacular work demonstrates the dramatic mastery of the composer on a dreamlike and powerful score. Giacomo Rossi's libretto deals with Goffredo's Crusader army laying siege to Jerusalem, which king Argante defends. One of the Crusaders, knight Rinaldo, is promised to marry Goffredo's daughter Almirena if the Christians are victorious. Handel composed Rinaldo in just fourteen days, borrowing musical material from his earlier compositions. Rinaldo features "Lascia ch'io pianga," one of Handel's best-known arias, in which Rinaldo's abducted lover Almirena bemoans her tragic fate. The score is performed by the ensemble Le Caravansérail, under Bertrand Cuiller. Among the soloists are Paul-Antoine Bénos-Djian (countertenor), Lucile Richardot (mezzo soprano), Emmanuelle de Negri (soprano), Aurore Bucher (soprano), and Thomas Dolié (baritone). This performance was recorded at Le Bateau Feu in Dunkirk, France.