ARIODANTE

He jokes treacherous

in the lap of the paramour,

I betrayed to death in her arms

your fault men vo hours.

But breaking of the unworthy snare,

shadow sad and naked spirit,

I'll come back for your trouble.

He jokes treacherous .

For inspiration listen to Ann Hallenburg singing " Treacherous jokes, Scherza Infida"

download MP3 here

Scherza Infida

Scherza infida

in grembo al drudo,

io tradito a morte in braccio

per tua colpa ora men vo.

Ma a spezzar l'indegno laccio,

ombra mesta, e spirto ignudo,

per tua pena io tornerò.

Scherza infida…

The entire Libretto

http://www.haendel.it/composizioni/libretti/pdf/ariodante.pdf

Ginevra, daughter of the King of Scotland, is betrothed to Ariodante. Polinesso, a jealous rival of Ariodante, wins the confidence of Ginevra's friend Dalinda. With Dalinda's unwitting help, Polinesso tricks Ariodante into thinking that Ginevra is Polinesso's lover.

The King, hearing of Ginevra’s alleged infidelity, disowns her, while Ariodante is reported dead by suicide. Polinesso then sends his agents to kill Dalinda, as the only witness to his plot. But Ariodante (whose suicide attempt was foiled), having met Dalinda while wandering in the woods, drives off the would-be assassins.

Polinesso, seeking to win the King’s favour, now offers to defend the honour of Ginevra in a tournament. In the combat, he is mortally wounded by Ariodante’s vengeful brother Lurcanio. Ariodante, having learned about Polinesso’s plot from Dalinda, now appears and offers himself as Ginevra’s champion. The dying Polinesso confesses his guilt and Ginevra is pardoned by the King.