L'Ormindo (2009) L’Ormindo was composed and first performed in 1644 in Venice. The plot, which has many
contemporary resonances, concerns a Queen - Erisbe who feels trapped in
her marriage to an aged king, and plays with the emotions of two young
princes. Throw in a couple of cross-dressing characters, two love
triangles and a sleeping draught masquerading as poison and you have
the makings of an excellent comedy.
The rediscovery of Cavalli in recent years (pioneered by Raymond
Leppard in the 1960s and 70s) has opened a door on these amazing works.
Full of beautiful melodies, extremely expressive declamatory passages
and harmonic invention, Cavalli operas have taken the opera world by
storm. More than 360 years after it’s premiere L’Ormindo
still speaks to contemporary audiences in many ways, and stands as a
chronological and stylistic link between the works of Monteverdi and
Handel.
Document Download: Ormindo libretto and translation (PDF - 372 Kb)
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