Ariodante

Act One

Princess Ginevra is adorning herself with jewels in the hope she will make herself even more attractive to her beloved Ariodante (‘Vezzi, lusinghe’). She really could not be happier than she is at this moment; her father loves Ariodante almost as much as she does, and has already arranged for them to marry (‘Ami dunque, o Signora?’). Everything is perfect.

Even when her other suitor, Polinesso, pays her an unexpected visit, Ginevra is not bothered by his presence. Rather, she has the confidence to speak her mind with him now. She tells him that she has ever disliked him more than she does now; he is more horrifying to her sight than even Tisiphone, one of the furies born of night and darkness (‘Orrida agli occhi miei’). With that stinging insult, Ginevra leaves.

Dalinda, Ginevra’s lady-in-waiting, stays to offer some comfort to the broken-hearted Polinesso. She tells him that he should forget about Ginevra, as he need only open his eyes to see that there is someone much