About the work
Floridante is an opera seria in three acts by George Frideric Handel, its libretto by Paolo Antonio Rolli after Francesco Silvani's La costanza in trionfo. It premiered on 9 December 1721 at the King's Theatre in London.
Plot
In a fictional realm modelled on ancient Persia, the general Oronte had years earlier overthrown King Nino and raised his daughter as his own under the name Elmira, who believes herself the sister of Oronte's real daughter Rossane. Prince Floridante and Elmira love each other, but Oronte refuses the match, entangling the court in dynastic intrigue.
Cultural significance
Floridante was among the most successful operas of the Royal Academy of Music and Handel revived it several times. The rarely staged work returned to the programme of the 2025 London Handel Festival.