Rinaldo

Entry Dated: 2011-03-13 05:05:06
Entry:

My cousin does an apprenticeship for the Opera, and she invited me to see Rinaldo with her. I had never seen an opera before, but I love the music. I immediately accepted the offer.

In Act I, Rinaldo reminds the Crusader general, Goffredo that he was promised the hand of his daughter Almirena if Rinaldo conquers the city. Argante, the King, asks Goffredo for a temporary truce. Armida, an enchantress, tells Argante that they can only conquer the city if Rinaldo is detached from the Christian army. In a grove, Almirena and Rinaldo affirm their love, but Armida comes and takes Almirena away. When Rinaldo retaliates, the women are taken away in a black cloud. Rinaldo then calls of the tempests to aid him in defeating Armida.

 In Act II, Rinaldo and Goffredo see a boat with two sirens surrounding it. Rinaldo is lured into the boat by a woman, who tell him that Almirena has sent her. Goffredo is then left alone but continues on the journey. In Armida's enchanted palace garden, Argante makes advances towards Almirena. She pleads to be left alone, but Argante takes her away for protection. Armida is happy with Rinaldo's capture and offers him her love. He refuses; she changes her appearance to that of Almirena. At first, he is fooled, but then he is furious when he realizes and runs off. When Argante arrives, Armida changes her appearance again, which makes his love even stronger for Almirena. Rejected by both men, Armida seeks revenge.

In Act III, a hermit-magician tells Goffredo that Rinaldo and Almirena are prisoners in the palace and warns Goffredo that it is dangerous to attempt to enter the palace. He gives Goffredo a special wand to conquer Armida's witchcraft. At the palace, Armida tries to stab Almirena; Rinaldo draws his sword to defend her. Goffredo arrives and uses his wand to transform the garden. Again, Armida trues to stab Almirena, but when Rinaldo attacks her, she vanishes. The three Christians are relieved, but prepare for the upcoming battle. Argante and Armida reconcile and decide to fight arm and arm in battle against the Christians. The armies fight, and the Christians win, thanks to Rinaldo! Argante and Armida are captured and profess the Christian faith. Finally, Almirena and Rinaldo are united.

I really enjoyed this Opera, and I will definitely go to many more.

Period: Period 10
Activity: Music - Concert Reflection