“Rodrigo”  was premiered in autumn 1707 in Florence and is therefore one of Handel’s early  stage works. The composer, only 22 years old, wrote a densely-woven musical scenario for his first opera composed in  Italy .<br>
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It masterfully portrays the dramatic states of mind of the  protagonists surrounding the Iberian tyrant Rodrigo and the plot full of  deception, betrayal , adultery, war as well as the transformation wrought by Rodrigo’s abdication.  The work was not, as was long thought, a commission from the Prince of  Medici. Despite  this, “ Rodrigo”  seems to have  been so popular that Handel extended his stay in  Italy  and was  able to compose several operas during the following period. In “  Rodrigo” , the mastery which  made Handel’s succeeding opera “ Agrippina”  such a success, is already clearly evident .<br>
“ Agrippina”  consequently made  Handel’s name famous throughout Europe and soon led to  his first journey to  London .<br>
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The new vocal score is based on Volume II/2 of the “Halle Handel Edition” (BA 4083). The appendix contains the surviving variants in the versions of the first performances from Handel’s lifetime.<br>