GMG Classical Music Forum

The Music Room => Opera and Vocal => Topic started by: DavidW on October 13, 2009, 06:30:44 PM

Title: Operas based/inspired by Ariosto's Orlando furioso
Post by: DavidW on October 13, 2009, 06:30:44 PM
Being generally ignorant about lit and opera, I was surprised to find out that Handel's Orlando is based off of a famous poem, and that opera was not alone, not only was I surprised by Alcina another opera by Handel (and a recent purchase).  I want to wrap my head around this

(a) what composers have written operas based on Orlando furioso?
(b) have the operas covered every aspect of it well enough that you could make an arc of the story with a series of operas?
(c) which operas based off of this work do you consider great, or at the very least worth hearing/watching?
(d) was the frenzy er furioso just in the baroque era, or is it found in other eras as well?
(e) any fav recordings you would suggest to follow up your answer to (c) with?

Oh yeah and is it all Ariosto or is it bigger than one author?
Title: Re: Operas based/inspired by Ariosto's Orlando furioso
Post by: The new erato on October 13, 2009, 09:07:40 PM
Lully's Roland is great to point to one I know outside the obvious Vivaldi/Handel circle.

Title: Re: Operas based/inspired by Ariosto's Orlando furioso
Post by: Mozart on October 13, 2009, 10:25:04 PM
Haydn wrote one :)

My favorite is Handel's Rinaldo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/SVDG_SqS2zc
Title: Re: Operas based/inspired by Ariosto's Orlando furioso
Post by: Wanderer on October 13, 2009, 11:28:31 PM
Incidentally, Haydn's Orlando paladino is a comedic masterpiece.
Title: Re: Operas based/inspired by Ariosto's Orlando furioso
Post by: Florestan on October 14, 2009, 01:08:10 AM
Vivaldi's Orlando furioso comes to mind immediately.
Title: Re: Operas based/inspired by Ariosto's Orlando furioso
Post by: DavidW on October 14, 2009, 03:12:50 AM
I did not know about Haydn's opera.  Have to listen/watch. :)  Actually I didn't know about any of these works (don't know much about opera anyway).  Thanks and keep it coming. :)
Title: Re: Operas based/inspired by Ariosto's Orlando furioso
Post by: DarkAngel on October 14, 2009, 08:45:36 AM
Vivaldi 3 operas, Handel 4 operas......plus many more from composers like Rameau, Lully etc. Very influential work I would say  :D
Some plots are tangential like Alcina dealing with Charlemagne, crusades.......use certain story elements from Orlando as background to develop
new story with new characters

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5144DC4CXDL._SL500_AA240_.jpg) (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41HPRE8HN1L._SL500_AA240_.jpg)  plus Orlando 1725

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41aXYYd7A4L._SL500_AA240_.jpg) (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61J0NJ2H0ML._SL500_AA240_.jpg) (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51IEGztXEJL._SL500_AA280_.jpg) (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4107994NSPL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)
Title: Re: Operas based/inspired by Ariosto's Orlando furioso
Post by: DavidW on October 15, 2009, 06:40:44 AM
DA what I can't find on netflix I'll simply buy off your list because listening to Alcina I have found that I enjoy pure listening as much as watching. :)