A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Rinaldo

RINALDO. Handel's first opera in England; composed in a fortnight, and produced at the King's Theatre in the Haymarket Feb. 24, 1711. The libretto was founded on the episode of Rinaldo and Armida in Tasso's 'Jerusalem Delivered' (the same on which Gluck based his 'Armida'). Rossi wrote it in Italian, and it was translated into English by Aaron Hill. The opera was mounted with extraordinary magnificence, and had an uninterrupted run of 15 nights—at that time unusually long. The march, and the air 'Il tricerbero,' were long popular as 'Let us take the road' (Beggar's Opera), and 'Let the waiter bring clean glasses.' 'Lascia ch'io pianga' made out of a saraband in Handel's earlier opera 'Almira' (1704) is still a favourite with singers and hearers.

[ G. ]