This baroque opera continues to fascinate audiences to this day with its emotional and tragic as well as idyllic scenes, its musical and scenic effects, its playfulness, its monodic musical style and the particularly virtuosic vocal writing. George Frideric Handel's rarely seen opera "Orlando" will be performed at the Rostock University of Music and Theatre in October 2025 - a story of frenzied love and heated madness.

Orlando has saved Angelica's life and fallen madly in love with her. For him, it is only natural that the rescued woman should return the love of her heroic saviour. Angelica, however, falls in love with Medoro, who in turn is in love with the shepherd girl Dorinda, but leaves her for a far better match.

Zoroaste tries to put Orlando back on the right track, but in vain. Orlando is overwhelmed by his jealous rage, loses his mind and murders Angelica and Medoro in a delirious state. But then, thanks to Zoroaste's magical powers, everything takes a turn for the better. Angelica and Medoro are raised from the dead and Orlando is cured of his rage.

Musically, the opera is unprecedentedly rich. Handel leaves the beaten track and ventures very far afield. The way in which he sets the protagonist's madness to music seems very modern, even to today's ears.