About the work
"Faramondo" is an opera seria in three acts by Handel, based on an anonymous adaptation of Apostolo Zeno's libretto (premiered in Venice in 1698, here used in Francesco Gasparini's 1720 revision). Handel began composing on 15 November 1737, paused to write a funeral anthem for Queen Caroline's burial on 17 December, and completed the score by Christmas Eve; the opera opened at the King's Theatre on 3 January 1738.
Plot
Faramondo, king of the Franks, loves Rosimonda, daughter of his enemy King Gustavo of Cimbria, whose son Sveno Faramondo has killed in battle. Despite the resulting blood feud, Faramondo repeatedly offers his own life for her sake; only the revelation that Sveno was never truly Gustavo's son dissolves the hatred and clears the way for the couple's marriage.
Cultural significance
The London Daily Post reported "general Applause" at the premiere and noted that Handel received "extraordinary and repeated signs of Approbation"; the opera ran for seven performances that season plus a revival in May 1738.