Synopsis
ACT I. In the Royal Palace in Milan, Rodelinda, wife of the King Bertarido, presumed dead in an invasion by the usurper Grimoaldo, laments the loss of her husband and kingdom. Grimoaldo arrives with his henchman Garibaldo to seek her hand, but the proud queen declares that the man who has robbed her of all she held dear will never buy her love ("L'empio rigor"). When she leaves, Grimoaldo complains to Garibaldo that his peace is disturbed equally by Rodelinda's scorn and by the anger of Bertarido's sister, Eduige, to whom he is betrothed. She enters to remind him of his vow and proposes that they reign as regents until Bertarido's son, Flavio, comes of age, but Grimoaldo gloats that as she once spurned him, he now spurns her. When he departs, Eduige turns her wiles on Garibaldo, offering herself to him if he will oblige Grimoaldo to kneel before her. Alone, Garibaldo muses that he will use the art of love to win the throne.In fact, Bertarido is alive; disguised as a Hun, has given out word of his death to buy time to win back his kingdom. In a cypress grove, he ponders the vain pomp of his newly erected tomb, longing for comfort from his beloved wife. He is discovered by Unulfo, his loyal advisor, who counsels prudence when Rodelinda approaches with Flavio. Bertarido and Unulfo withdraw behind the tomb, as Rodelinda weeps for her husband's fate. The treacherous Garibaldo brings an ultimatum from Grimoaldo: if Rodelinda will marry the usurper, her son will reign; if she refuses, the boy must die. Rodelinda, defeated, dispatches Garibaldo to report her acquiescence. Vowing to see his treachery punished by death, she storms out, leaving Bertarido dismayed at her betrayal. Unulfo urges him to take heart, and Bertarido determines that Rodelinda will rue her inconstancy.
ACT II. Garibaldo reveals Grimoaldo's marriage plans to the envious Eduige and reiterates his pledge to uphold her right to the throne but demands she wed him in return. When he departs, Eduige greets Rodelinda, wondering at the sorrow of one who has both throne and husband within her reach. Raging at Grimoaldo, she vows to avenge them both. No sooner has she left than Grimoaldo enters, with Garibaldo and Unulfo. Rodelinda exacts a price for her capitulation: she will marry Grimoaldo only if he first kills her son with his own hand before her eyes. Grimoaldo recoils, but Rodelinda reiterates that she can never be mother to the rightful king and embrace the usurper. When she exits with Flavio, Unulfo urges the despairing Grimoaldo to follow his nobler instincts and abandon his suit, but Garibaldo counsels him to call Rodelinda's bluff. Grimoaldo, consumed with passion, says he would rather remain a prisoner of his heart than conquer his obsession. Upbraided by Unulfo for his evil counsel, Garibaldo repeats that he who wins a kingdom through tyranny can keep in only through cruelty. Left alone, Unulfo resolves to reassure Bertarido of his wife's fidelity.
Bertarido, bemoaning his betrayal, is discovered by Eduige. Unulfo brings word of Rodelinda's fidelity, and Eduige pledges to help the elated Bertarido rescue his wife and son, calling on hope to sustain her. Unulfo leads Bertarido away to be reunited with his wife.
In her apartments, Rodelinda, apprised by Unulfo of Bertarido's return, pours out her relief. Bertarido begs forgiveness for his unfounded suspicions before embracing her. They are interrupted by Grimoaldo, who, failing to recognize his enemy, rails against Rodelinda's hypocrisy in taking a lover even as she proclaims her fidelity. To save her honor, Bertarido reveals his identity, but Rodelinda, ready to sacrifice her virtuous reputation for his life, refutes his claim. Grimoaldo, saying his rival will die regardless of his identity, leaves the lovers to a last embrace.
ACT III. In the palace, Eduige and Unulfo plan Bertarido's escape from prison. Unulfo, full of hope, departs to put the plan into practice, as Eduige wonders whether this righteous deed can efface her crime. Garibaldo counsels Grimoaldo to put Bertarido to death and departs. The usurper, torn between lust for power and dreams of glory, is racked by jealousy, love and fear.
The imprisoned Bertarido, lamenting the cruelty of fate, finds a sword in his cell. When Unulfo enters, Bertarido, taking him for the executioner, stabs his friend, but the wounded Unulfo manages to lead the remorseful monarch to a secret escape route.
Eduige guides Rodelinda and Flavio into the empty cell, where the recent bloodstains from Unulfo's wound lead Rodelinda to fear the worst. In the Royal Gardens, Grimoaldo, gnawed by remorse, vainly seeks solace in sleep. Garibaldo, finding him vulnerable, takes the king's sword and is about to strike, but Bertarido arrives, followed by Rodelinda, and drives the assassin away. Having dispatched Garibaldo, Bertarido returns Grimoaldo's sword, scornfully telling the astonished tyrant to wreak vengeance on his rescuer. Unulfo and Eduige enter, confessing their part in Bertarido's escape, but Grimoaldo has had a change of heart. Offering himself to Eduige as husband, he relinquishes the throne to Bertarido. Rodelinda rejoices in her restored fortunes. Bertarido joins her in bidding farewell to their sorrows, and all hail a brighter future.
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