Jeanine De Bique, Maarten Engeltjes & PRJCT Amsterdam|Händel, Io t’abbraccio - IMMORTAL FREQUENCIES

For more Immortal Frequencies, check out our website or our channel. www.prjct.amsterdam Support PRJCT Amsterdam / Immortal Frequencies! www.prjct.amsterdam/en/eenmalige-donatie/ About Io t’abbraccio: “Io T’abbraccio” is a duet from George Frideric Handel’s opera Rodelinda, first performed in 1725. The opera tells the story of Rodelinda, the queen of Lombardy, who believes her husband, King Bertarido, to be dead. Grimoaldo, the usurper of the throne, tries to force Rodelinda to marry him to legitimize his rule. However, Bertarido is alive and returns in disguise to reclaim his kingdom and reunite with his wife. The opera is a tale of love, loyalty, and political intrigue. The duet is sung by Rodelinda and Bertarido when they believe they must part forever. The lyrics express sorrow and the wish to stay together: “I embrace you, and I die; yet, in dying, I shall still be with you.” Handel’s music weaves the two voices together, creating a sense of longing and devotion. “Io t’abbraccio, e più che morte Mi spaventa il tuo partir. Ah! mia vita, a questo core Più crudele è l’aspettar.” “Io T’abbraccio” is known for its simple yet powerful expression of love and loss. The duet remains one of Handel’s most memorable, touching listeners with its sincerity and emotion. Details G.F. Händel - Io t’abbraccio Rodelinda, HWV 19, Act II Recorded in the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam on 23 November 2024 Performers: Maarten Engeltjes countertenor Jeanine De Bique sopraan Ivan Iliev violin 1 Joseph Tan violin 1 Alexandra Lopez violin 2 Tomoe Badiarov violin 2 Anna Jane Lester violin 2 Saaya Ikenoya violin 2 Simone Siviero viola Annemarie Kosten-Dür viola Antonio Pellegrino cello Alon Portal double bass Asako Ueda theorbe Edoardo Valorz harpsichord Grycko Films video TRPTK audio