Orlando, written in 1732 by George Frideric Handel, is based upon a poem of epic proportions, Orlando furioso by Ludovico Ariosto. Orlando furioso influenced countless literary works and numerous pieces of music including three operas by Handel alone.  Hear Orlando‘s origins uncovered by Director Justin Way, Princeton University musicologist Wendy Heller, and Italian literary historian Eleonora Stoppino from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign as they explore Handel’s music and Ariosto’s epic poem.

In collaboration with the Department of French & Italian at Northwestern University, Istituto Italiano di Cultura and the Newberry Library Center for Renaissance Studies.

Recorded Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at The Newberry Library.