| Operas by Joseph Haydn |
|---|
Der krumme Teufel (1751) |
Orlando paladino (English: The Paladin Orlando) is an opera in three acts by Joseph Haydn which was first performed at Eszterháza on 6 December 1782. The libretto by Nunziano Porta is based on another libretto, Le pazzie d'Orlando, by Carlo Francesco Badini (set by the composer P.A. Guglielmi in 1771), itself inspired by Ariosto's epic poem Orlando furioso. The opera was described as a dramma eroicomico and the plot mixes heroic and comic elements. It was Haydn's most popular opera during his lifetime.
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast, December 6, 1782 (Conductor: - ) |
|---|---|---|
| Alcina, a sorceress | soprano | |
| Angelica, Queen of Cathay | soprano | |
| Medoro, in love with Angelica | tenor | |
| Caronte (Charon), ferryman to the underworld | bass | |
| Eurilla, a shepherdess | soprano | |
| Licone, a shepherd | tenor | |
| Orlando, Paladin of France | tenor | |
| Pasquale, Orlando's squire | tenor | |
| Rodomonte, King of Barbaria | bass | |
| Shepherds, shepherdesses, spectres, savages and Saracens - chorus | ||
Selected recordings
- Orlando paladino, Arleen Auger, Elly Ameling, George Shirley, Lausanne CO, conducted by Antal Dorati (Philips, 1977)
- Orlando paladino, Patricia Petibon, Christian Gerhaher, Michael Schade, Von Magnus, Concentus Musicus Wien, conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt (Deutsche Harmonia Mundi, 2006)
Sources
- The Viking Opera Guide ed. Holden (1993)
