Ariodante

Il Re di Scozia
Andrea Mastroni

Ariodante
David Hansen

Ginevra
Jane Archibald

Lurcanio
Juan Sancho

Polinesso
Christophe Dumaux

Dalinda
Francesca Aspromonte

Cor de la Generalitat Valenciana
Francesc Perales, director

Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana

Act I

In the castle of the King of Scotland, Princess Ginevra regales her friend Dalinda with stories of her love for Ariodante. The arrival of Polinesso, Duke of Albany, irritates the princess, who rejects his amorous proposals. Although Dalinda confirms to him the future matrimony between Ginevra and Ariodante, the Duke ignores the young woman’s tender eyes, focusing instead on a ruse that will serve his lustful desires.

In the palace garden, Ginevra and Ariodante sing of their love for one another. The King surprises them and expresses his delight with their union, calling for an early celebration of the wedding. Polinesso urges Dalinda to disguise herself as Ginevra in order to bring him into the princess’s room. Dalinda, smitten with love for the Duke, agrees to take part in his plan. Meanwhile, Ariodante’s brother Lurcanio tries in vain to woo Dalinda, but she does not respond to his romantic advances and only thinks of Polinesso.

In a charming valley, Ginevra and Ariodante come together, the incarnation of happiness.

Act II

In front of the door that leads to Ginevra’s chambers, Polinesso puts his plan into action. When Ariodante arrives, the Duke claims to be the object of the princess’s attentions. When Ariodante draws his sword in anger, Dalinda appears disguised as Ginevra and confirms Polinesso’s claim. Ariodante then attempts to commit suicide, but Lurcanio prevents it. While Polinesso enjoys his triumph, Dalinda becomes convinced that she has won the Duke’s love.

In a gallery somewhere in the palace, a message arrives that Ariodante has died, drowned in the sea. Ginevra faints upon hearing this news. Lurcanio appears, asking for revenge for the death of his brother and blaming the princess for her betrayal in an accusatory letter. The maiden, repudiated by her father, falls into despair.

Act III

A forest. In disguise, Ariodante saves Dalinda from being killed by two assailants. The young woman recognizes him and, having been betrayed by the Duke, she confesses Polinesso’s deceit to Ariodante. He then departs in search of revenge while Dalinda begs the heavens for the Duke of Albany’s death.

The Palace garden. Sentenced to death, Ginevra implores the King for forgiveness. Polinesso offers to defend her in a tournament for her honor, but she rejects him. Lurcanio appears and confronts the Duke, killing him. Just as the elderly King accepts a new challenge from Lurcanio, a knight with his helmet lowered prevents him from doing so by stating that innocence needs no defenders. The mystery knight then uncovers his face and everyone is stunned to see that it is Ariodante, who confirms Polinesso’s deceit and Ginevra’s innocence. The young man marches off to free the princess, while Lurcanio tries once more to approach Dalinda.

In her prison, Ginevra mourns her misfortune. The arrival of the King and Ariodante free her from her sentence. Finally, Lucarnio and Dalinda, along with Ariodante and Ginevra, confirm their love while the choir ends the opera with a song of praise to the triumph of virtue.