Opera Resonates Discussion: Ariodante
George Frideric Handel’s 1735 opera seria Ariodante, his first opera performed at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, tells the story of extreme choices with vivid music. At its core, we see the desire for power play out before our eyes through deceit. The dishonest actions by others lead fundamentally good people toward unthinkable reactions. How does the psychology of power influence our actions? What has history shown us when the desire for power leads people to do anything? Have we ever been unknowingly influenced by others’ desire for power?