Description GF Handel (1685-1759) Partenope, HWV 27 Opera in Three Acts "Furibondo spira il vento" from the end of the 2nd Act. Libretto by: Silvio Stampiglia Premiere: King's Theatre, London, 24 February 1730 Characters Partenope (soprano) Rosmira (mezzo-soprano) Arsace (countertenor) Armindo (countertenor) Emilio (tenor) Ormonte (baritone) Original Cast in 1730: Partenope: Anna Maria Strada del Pò, soprano Rosmira: Antonia Maria Merighi, contralto Arsace: Antonio Maria Bernacchi, alto castrato Armindo: Francesca Bertolli, mezzo-soprano Emilio: Annibale Pio Fabri, tenor Ormonte: Johann Gottfried Riemschneider, basso Handel wrote Partenope in 1730, a time in his life when he was free to choose a wider range of librettos.It was Handel's first comic opera which broke away from the Opera Seria tradition and was rejected by the Royal Academy of Music because of its frivolous nature with relatively few extended arias and more recitative. The greatness he achieved in this decade is reflected in the virtuosity of this mad scene of Arsace. Arsace (originally written for an alto castrato) is one of three men who admire Partenope. She is the mythological Queen of Naples.. Arsace and Armindo are rivals for the love of Partenope, who loves Arsace. He, however, was formerly the lover of Rosmira, whom he recognises but whose identity he is pledged not to reveal. Rosmira, as Eurimene, also claims to be in love with Partenope. Emilio, under threat of war, joins the contest, but is rejected and <b>...</b>
