Vancouver Early Music Festival 2012

Act 2
Orlando learns from Dorinda of Angelica’s love for Medoro; the piece of jewelry the lovers gave Dorinda had been a present
to Angelica from Orlando. Beside himself with jealousy and rage, Orlando is torn between thoughts of revenge and suicide.
Zoroastro warns Angelica and Medoro of Orlando’s fury and promises to help them when they decide to flee from Orlando.
While Medoro is making the necessary arrangements for their flight, Orlando discovers Angelica, who just manages to escape
from him. Tormented by anger and jealousy, Orlando becomes unhinged.
n Scene 1 (Bosco, Dorinda sola)
Arioso di Dorinda dorinda Quando spieghi i tuoi tormenti
Amoroso rosignolo
Par che canti e piangi allor
E accompagni il mio dolor.
n Scene 2 (Orlando e Dorinda)
Recitativo orlando Perché, gentil donzella
Così vai pubblicando
Ch’ha rapito Isabella, e l’alma Orlando?
dorinda Io? Signor, mal intese
Ch’il ferì, d’Angelica parlai…
orlando Dimmi, di quale Angelica tu intendi?
dorinda Di quella, ch’era meco.
E poi sen è partita
Col suo Medoro, da lei tanto amato
Ch’amavo pure anch’io
Ch’era l’idol mio
E me lasciò schernita
Sebben questo gioiello m’ha donato
(Gli fa vedere il gioiello)
orlando Che miro, oh ciel!
Questo è il maniglio appunto
Che già di Ziliante a me fu dono
E ch’io dopo a lei diedi.
Ah! Più non posso
Dubitar ch’ella sia, che me tradisce.
Ma chi è costui, che ardisce
D’esser a me rivale?
E’ il Re Circasso? O Ferraguto il Moro?
dorinda Già v’ho detto, che chiamassi Medoro
Ed è giovane e bello
D’una bona struttura. Ahi! Che non posso
Scordarlo! Ed ora tutto quel che miro
Parmi che sia Medoro e ognor sospiro.
Aria di Dorinda dorinda Se mi rivolgo al prato
Veder Medoro mio
In ogni fior mi fa.
Se miro il bosco, o ‘l rio
Mi par che mormorando
Or l’onde, ora le fronde
Dicano sì ch’amando
Qui ‘l tuo Medoro sta.
Se mi rivolgo, etc.
(A wood, Dorinda alone)
When you, your soft resounding woes,
O amorous Philomel disclose,
you seem to sing in mournful strains,
and suit your warbling to my pains.
(Orlando and Dorinda)
Why, fair Dorinda, dost thou thus proclaim,
that by rude violence Orlando lately
seized Isabella, and adores her now?
I, my Lord? –Whoever related this
ill understood the meaning of my heart.
’Twas of Angelica I held discourse.
Say, what Angelica?
The very same
who late resided at my rural cot,
and since has left it with her dear Medoro
a youth whom I too saw with love-sick eyes
and doted on to fond idolatry
yet he neglected and forsook me too:
‘tis true this jewel he vouchsafed to give me.
(She shows him the jewel)
Heavens, what do I behold!
The very bracelet that Ziliante once
bestowed on me, and which I gave
to this ungrateful woman.
Ah! tis too certain that she has betrayed me.
But who’s this minion that dares
prove my rival?
Is it Circassia’s monarch,
or the Moor called Feragutus?
I’ve already told you he’s named Medoro,
and is young and lovely, graced with a harmony
of shape. Ah, me! I never can banish him from my
memories! Methinks even now, wherever I cast
my eyes, I see his image all around me rise.
If to the meads I take my way
or through the verdant valleys stray
methinks I see each flower assume
my dear Medoro’s lovely bloom:
if to the rolling streams I rove,
or wander in the waving grove,
methinks both streams and grove resound
these vocal murmurs all around,
behold your fond Medoro here,
who languishes till you appear.
If to the meads …
(Parte) (Exit)
Please turn page quietly
www.earlymusic.bc.ca — Handel’s “Orlando” - page 21 — Vancouver Early Music Festival 2012